The Prostate Cancer Charity comments on new research which suggests that men at a higher genetic risk of prostate cancer could benefit from screening for the disease
The Prostate Cancer Charity comments on new preliminary research published today (10 September 2010) in the British Journal of Urology International which suggest that men at a higher genetic risk of developing prostate cancer could benefit from regular screening for the disease using the PSA blood test.
John Neate, Chief Executive of The Prostate Cancer Charity, explains: “These preliminary findings show that it may be beneficial to use the PSA blood test to regularly screen men at higher risk of prostate cancer because of known faults in a BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene.
“The PSA test, which is the first step along the journey to prostate cancer diagnosis, is far from perfect and can lead to over-diagnosis and unnecessary treatment in some men with a slow-growing form of the disease. However, this study suggests that a targeted approach to specifically screening men thought to be at a higher genetic risk of developing the disease may, overall, do more good than harm.
“These results are early, initial results from a study which will take many years to complete. We await with interest the full results of this study and we urge the UK National Screening Committee, the body responsible for assessing the validity of the PSA blood test as a screening tool, to consider the research findings once the study is complete. In the meantime, it is imperative that we move quickly to a position of ‘universal informed choice’ where all men - particularly those over 50 or at increased risk of the disease - have the opportunity to make an informed decision about whether to have the PSA test.
"We encourage any men who may be concerned about any aspect of prostate cancer to visit their GP,” he added.
ENDS
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