Men in the dark about simple test that plays key role in prostate cancer diagnosis

Seven out of ten men who are at an increased risk of prostate cancer are not aware of a simple blood test which can give an early indication of the disease which kills one man every hour in the UK, new research has revealed.

The inequities surrounding men’s knowledge and access to the PSA blood test were also highlighted through the research, which was commissioned by The Prostate Cancer Charity* to time with the launch of its annual awareness month, in March. Worryingly, men over 50 - the age at which the likelihood of developing the disease increases - from less affluent backgrounds are much more likely to be in the dark about the test. The probability of these men requesting a PSA test is three times lower than those from higher socio-economic groups.

The usefulness of the PSA test - the cornerstone of prostate cancer diagnosis - has been the subject of intense medical debate for many years. Experts struggle to find a consensus on the balance of risks of widespread use of the PSA test leading to over diagnosis and over treatment of slow growing forms of the disease and the benefits of detecting the cancer early for men with an aggressive cancer.

Because of this complex balance between the advantages and disadvantages of the PSA test, GP’s have been given clear guidance by Government on how to counsel men who request a test, but have no symptoms of the disease - the Prostate Cancer Risk Management Programme.

Yet, the stark fact remains that one in five men surveyed who do request the test, the best method currently available to indicate a problem with the prostate, say they have been turned down by their GP.

John Neate, Chief Executive of The Prostate Cancer Charity, explains: “This research is of real significance as it shows a critical gap in awareness of the PSA test, as well as offering an important clue in understanding what men considering the test actually know about it.

“Interest in the usefulness of the PSA test as a screening tool has grown considerably over the past year. Although it is far from perfect, the test is the first step along the road to diagnosing prostate cancer. For many men, undergoing a PSA test could expose a slow growing cancer which may never cause them a problem - even without treatment. At the same time, for men with an aggressive cancer, who have no symptoms of the disease, the test may be the only way the disease will be identified at a time when effective treatment can be offered. The decision on whether to have the PSA test must therefore be made by men themselves - based on unbiased advice about its pros and cons.

“Our survey highlights the critical role GPs must play in providing balanced information to men about the PSA test. It is completely unacceptable that so many men at risk of prostate cancer are unaware of their right to request a PSA test, We must move swiftly to a position of ‘universal informed choice’ where all men are made aware of their right to request a test and to be given clear information about its usefulness and limitations so they can decide whether having the test is right for them. We are working intensively on proposals for how this can best be achieved and plan to make these public over the coming months.”

This year, The Prostate Cancer Charity is using Prostate Cancer Awareness Month to expose the fact that the disease is the ‘hidden cancer’ and to cast light on all of the unseen aspects of the disease - from the fact that it can be a taboo topic, to the hidden and often unmet support and information needs of men living with the disease.

Anyone wanting more information can visit http://www.hiddencancer.org.uk


Men in the dark about simple test that plays key role in prostate cancer diagnosis