‘Outdated guidance’ sees thousands at risk of prostate cancer ‘overtreatment’

Up to 5,000 men every year could avoid unnecessary treatment for prostate cancer if “outdated” guidelines reflected latest evidence, a charity has said.

Overtreatment of the disease can lead to side effects such as erectile dysfunction or incontinence, according to Prostate Cancer UK.

Experts suggest closely monitoring certain patients can be the “best” option for men whose cancer is unlikely to progress, although out-of-date guidance from the National Institute of Health and Care Excellence (Nice) on how this is implemented has created a “wild west”.

There are around 55,000 new cases of prostate cancer diagnosed in the UK every year.

However, in some cases, the cancer is slow-growing and unlikely to ever cause the patient harm.

To reduce the harm caused by prostate cancer and build t