Quicker Diagnosis of PCa

I heard a piece on this on the radio today. The early flaw seems to be that if the MRI is clear the man will be sent home without a biopsy. In cases where the cancer doesn’t show up on scans (as with John and CJ) this is going to be a problem.

When I pointed out to the consultant there that women would never wait that long to find out if they had breast cancer he just said Prostate cancer is not like Breast cancer. We know that but the worry of waiting is just as bad and prostate cancer is not always slow growing.

We found out too late that had he asked to be referred to our regional centre it would have been much quicker as they do a version of the one stop system.

At least he had his operation within the month once we saw the consultant there and thankfully it seems to have been contained.

It can only be good news if the tests are done much quicker and I would expect those not biopsied will still be followed up with further MRI, PSA and DRE tests and then have a biopsy at a later date if needed.

Ann

This would obviously cost the NHS much more time/money of course as a general anaesthetic is needed for the Template biopsy.

We can only hope the MRI keeps being developed to the point where it is more accurate.Maybe your husband's PCa would have been picked up if he was only going for tests now as the Multi parametric MRI's have improved in the last few years.

I agree also that it should be scan and biopsy for indicitve men. It may be that men would feel happier going for the appointment when it is not a given that they are automatically going to be biopsied.

As GP's & urologists are only human with differing opinions and ability there will always be men who slip through the net.

As it's so important to get at risk men to the Urologist in the first place why is there seemingly still some GP's sending men away and putting them off saying they don't need a PSA test because i.e

You are too young,the prostate feels ok, etc,etc.

Regards

Ann

Hi Lyn,

What sort of MRI did John have?

We do not the situation re access to MpMRI scans has been very variable for PCa diagnosis and interest the PROMIS trial was done with a 1.5 Tesla machine and already the 3 Tesla machine is available is subject places.

I see PCUK are doing another freedown if information surchase next month of the use of the MpMRI scan in the UK NHS both availability and for fdiagnosis of PCa.

So things keep moving and maybe a 3 Tesla scanner would have picked up John PCa

I know know the biopsy was a much nastier procedure for A than we were prepare for however the scan mad it quite clear something was amis so it helped knowing it was right to have had it done first and slowed the biopsy to be focused.

Interest times though

Thanks

Clare