International experts suggest that men over 50 should be able to undergo a rapid MRI scan that takes less than 15 minutes to detect prostate cancer earlier.
According to specialists, these fast and focused scans can help identify dangerous tumors, while simultaneously reducing the number of unnecessary biopsies and overdiagnoses.
Expert recommendations
A panel of 21 experts – urologists, radiologists and pathologists from Europe and the US – drafted a consensus statement on how magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) should be used in prostate cancer screening.
The recommendations were developed by researchers at Imperial College London and presented at the European Society of Urology Congress in London.
Experts suggest that:
men between 50 and 70 years old can benefit from these scans
For men of African descent, who are at higher risk, screening can begin at age 45.
How would the control work?
According to recommendations, screening should first begin with the PSA blood test, which measures the level of prostate-specific antigen.
This test helps identify men at higher risk. Those who are found to be at increased risk can then be referred for a rapid MRI scan.
The frequency of further checks should be individually tailored to each patient, according to the level of risk.
Why new methods are needed
Prostate cancer has become the most common cancer in men in the UK, surpassing even breast cancer in the number of cases.
In 2022 alone, about 64 men were diagnosed with the disease, a significant increase compared to previous years. The increase is partly due to greater awareness and more frequent check-ups.
However, screening programs for this cancer remain controversial. The PSA test is not always accurate: some men can have high levels without having cancer, while others can have cancer even with normal results.
This can lead to unnecessary biopsies or treatments for tumors that grow too slowly, which can cause serious side effects such as problems with urination or erectile dysfunction.
A smarter approach to screening
Other studies suggest that a risk-based approach could reduce the number of people who need MRI by up to 60%, using additional tests after the PSA test, such as a rectal examination or ultrasound.
Experts believe that combining the PSA test with MRI scans could create a more accurate and efficient screening program.
Health organizations emphasize that early diagnosis is crucial, as many men are only diagnosed when the cancer has already spread, making treatment much more difficult. /GazetaExpress/
t7 live
