Annual prostate checks will benefit some men aged 40 plus

UK experts say some men should have yearly prostate checks once they turn 40 to spot early and treatable cancers.

 

The team at the Institute of Cancer Research says targeted screening would save lives, even though the PSA blood test it relies on is not accurate enough to offer more widely.

 

PSA is a protein which is only made by the prostate gland and a raised level can indicate cancer.  It can, however, give confusing results, which is why routine prostate screening is not yet offered to men.

 

Around 75 per cent of men who get a positive test result are not found to have cancer when they have a follow-up invasive and sometimes painful biopsy.

 

The new IMPACT study involved 828 men in 34 centres around the world.  The preliminary results suggested targeted PSAS testing is worthwhile for men with Lynch syndrome, with the benefits outweighing the risks.

 

Professor Ros Eeles, lead investigator of the study, said “Our new findings show that PSA testing in men with Lynch syndrome is much more likely to pick up life-threatening prostate cancer than in the general population.

 

“We think that men with the gene faults causing Lynch syndrome are likely to benefit from regular PSA testing from the age of 40.”

 

Cancer Research UK’s Professor Charles Swanton, said “What’s needed now is research to find out how early the test can diagnose prostate cancer in this group and – like any screening programme – the potential harms and survival benefits would need to be investigated before it could be rolled out.”

 

Chadwick Lawrence’s specialist team of clinical negligence lawyers have years of experience in medical negligence claims, providing support and guidance after life-changing events.  Not only do we represent clients in Yorkshire, but because of our reputation we also represent clients nationally.

 

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Posted by Karen Motley, Clinical Negligence Department, Chadwick Lawrence LLP (tonymay@chadlaw.co.uk ), medical negligence lawyers and clinical negligence solicitors in Huddersfield, Leeds, Wakefield and Halifax, West Yorkshire.

 

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