New cancer test to tackle disease early

DIAGNOSING prostate cancer could be revolutionised thanks to a new study that aims to catch the disease early.

The research could pave the way for screening that saves lives and spares thousands from unnecessary invasive treatment.

Scientists will be testing a method of diagnosis that uses MRI scans and advanced blood and urine tests.

If successful, men over 45 could be tested early in the same way that all women are offered mammograms to test for breast cancer.

Prostate cancer is the most common type in men – one in eight will develop it in their lifetime.

More than 3,400 men in Ireland are diagnosed with the disease every year.

Current diagnosis methods – a blood test and a painful internal investigation – are deemed unreliable. The tests often miss deadly tumours and can even lead to unnecessary treatment for benign growths. The new methods – to be tested by University College London and Imperial College London – will be able to detect tiny particles of tumour. The scientists aim to show that this approach is far more effective.

The new technique would also be able to measure how likely it is that healthy men would develop prostate cancer. Those with a high risk would be encouraged to have regular MRI scans while those with a low risk would have the scans less frequently.

Lead researcher Professor Mark Emberton said: ‘If we can detect cancers earlier and more reliably with a non-invasive test, this could help to improve the survival rates.’