A two-yearly prostate cancer test for men aged 55 to 59 would save 300 lives a year, according to European research led by Erasmus University in Rotterdam.

Every year, 2,400 men die from prostate cancer in the Netherlands. Screening would therefore reduce this total by 13%, the research shows.

The Dutch urologists’ association said such a test, which involves looking for raised protein levels in blood, would be an advance but would also lead to unnecessary worry and treatment.

A raised PSA level does not always mean someone has cancer or that they will die of the disease, the association said.

The Netherlands recently began regular testing for bowel cancer. Women also undergo tests for breast and cervical cancer.

‘Politicians now have a strong argument for widespread prostate cancer testing,’ Erasmus professor Harry de Koning told Trouw.