Skip to main content
  1. BAUS Home
  2. Professionals
  3. BAUS Business
  4. News
  5. BAUS endorses expansion of Abiraterone access

BAUS endorses expansion of Abiraterone access

19 January 2026

The British Association of Urological Surgeons (BAUS) - driven by the Section of Oncology - strongly endorses NHS England’s decision to expand access to abiraterone for men with high-risk, non-metastatic prostate cancer. This vital policy change finally eliminates long-standing regional disparities, aligning England with Scotland and Wales. For the 7,000 additional men diagnosed each year, this represents far more than a policy update; it is a significant opportunity for an extended, high-quality life.

The evidence underpinning this decision is among the most robust in modern oncology. Data from the STAMPEDE trial programme has demonstrated that intensifying treatment earlier in the disease pathway delivers benefits that conventional hormone therapy alone cannot match:

  • Significant Survival Advantage: Adding abiraterone to standard androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) reduces the risk of death by approximately 40%;
     
  • Halving Recurrence: The risk of the cancer returning or progressing is cut by 50%, providing men with significantly longer periods of disease-free survival.

On behalf of the BAUS Section of Oncology, we recognise that this policy is only the first step; our focus must now shift towards rapid and equitable implementation across all Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) in England. To ensure these clinical gains are realised at the bedside, BAUS is committed to supporting multidisciplinary teams in precise patient selection and the proactive management of treatment-related toxicities, such as hypertension, to safeguard patient wellbeing. Ultimately, success depends on fostering informed, shared decision-making, ensuring every patient understands the requirements of this intensified regimen while keeping their individual goals at the heart of their care.

This development marks a transformative step forward. By adopting this evidence-based approach, the NHS is ensuring that men with high-risk prostate cancer have the best possible chance to live longer, healthier lives.

Vishwanath Hanchanale
Chair, BAUS Section of Oncology

View other news