THE HIGH-SPEED PATH TO TREATMENT

The rapid-access pathway being trialled by the NHS cuts the average time to diagnose prostate cancer from 56 to 17 days.

1 Men are referred for testing by their GP usually because of an adverse blood test or a suspicious-feeling prostate. 2 Around a week later they attend hospital for a morning MRI scan. 3 Four in ten patients get the all-clear and are discharged by 2pm. 4 The remaining men have a precision biopsy using ‘Fusion’ technology, which overlays the MRI scan against live ultrasound images. Samples are taken and the patients are sent home by 6pm. 5 Results are usually delivered within a week. Patients who require treatment receive it within two or three weeks.