Men can be screened for prostate cancer on the High Street for the first time after Superdrug launched a new testing service.
The health and beauty retailer offers the service for £79 in 80 stores with health clinics across the UK.
The blood test, which looks at levels of the prostate-specific antigen (PSA), is performed by a nurse and results are available in as little as two days.
Anyone whose results are considered worrying will be directed to see their GP for further testing, a spokesperson said.
Experts hope the service will increase the availability of tests, which doctors do not routinely offer.
According to NHS guidelines, it is not recommended for patients under 50 unless they have a family history of prostate cancer or are of black ethnicity, both known risk factors.
Niamh McMillan, pharmacy superintendent at Superdrug, said: “By introducing our new PSA blood testing service to our top 80 health clinics, we hope more men will feel encouraged and comfortable to prioritize their health and get check-ups.”
Attention has been focused on Olympic athlete Chris Hoy after he urged more young men to be screened for the disease which kills 12,000 men in the UK each year.
Anyone whose results are flagged on Superdrug as concerning will be directed to see their GP for further testing, a spokesperson said.
A major trial is underway in the UK to test the effectiveness of the diagnostic techniques, but could take up to a decade to complete.
His terminal diagnosis caused the number of visits to the NHS prostate cancer symptoms page to increase almost seven-fold last month.
NHS guidelines for England say anyone can request a PSA test from their GP if they are over 50.
But there is reluctance among some because of what many now say are “outdated” fears about the test’s accuracy, which has led to a zip code lottery in diagnoses and care.
The charities say recent advances in the way prostate cancer is diagnosed in the NHS mean it is safer and more accurate than ever.
Patients with elevated PSA levels receive a pre-biopsy MRI, followed by a biopsy if the scan shows abnormalities, reducing the risk of false positives and unnecessary tests and treatments.
They call for a targeted national screening program to “eliminate the current responsibility of men to seek testing themselves.”
A major trial is underway in the UK to test the effectiveness of the diagnostic techniques, but could take up to a decade to complete.
Oliver Kemp, chief executive of Prostate Cancer Research, said the new service shows increasing proactivity among men when it comes to protecting their prostate health.
NHS guidelines for England say anyone can request a PSA test from their GP if they are over 50.
He said: ‘This growing demand for accessible testing has been driven by celebrities opening up about their diagnoses and increased awareness of the life-saving benefits of early disease detection.
“However, to achieve a significant reversal of prostate cancer death rates in the UK, we must ensure that men, especially those most at risk of the disease, are offered testing as part of a program national detection”.
Amy Rylance, deputy director of health improvement at Prostate Cancer UK, questioned its use, as anyone with concerns will also need to visit their GP.
She said: “It may seem attractive to be able to access PSA testing at your convenience, regardless of the cost.”
“But if your result increases, you will still need to visit your GP for a referral for further testing.” Your GP will probably want to repeat the PSA blood test before deciding what to do next.