Have transrectal biopsies been banned

User

Posted 19 Sep 2026 at 12:17

One would hope so. It looks like they have been in the EU.

One problem not always apparent in research is that the "harm" done by biopsies has to be balanced by the benefit of accurate diagnosis. There is a feeling among men that the unhelpful changes to PSA testing regimes is based on research using data from "harm" from transrectal biopsies which, as we know, is dreadful.

Three of the four men I know with prostate cancer had severe sepsis after transrectal biopsy and my brother nearly died. So banned? Yes, but using old data from research which includes harm from transrectal biopsies does more than muddy the waters, it totally invalidates conclusions and advice based on that research.

User

Posted 20 Sep 2026 at 10:42

Hi, Ed.

I started a conversation on this subject.

https://community.prostatecanceruk.org/posts/t31758-Biopsies--LATP-or-TRUS--Which-is-bes t

In the opening post I put a link to a recent Lancet article on the subject. In it, it states:

Serious adverse events occurred in 14 (2%) of 562 participants in the LATP group and 25 (4%) of 564 in the TRUS group.

I suspect sepsis would be classed as an serious adverse event. Although you're twice as likely to suffer such an event following a TRUS biopsy, at 4% the risk is minimal.

For three out of four of your mates, plus your brother to all get sepsis after TRUS biopsies seems very untypical, which is why I'm trying to redress the imbalance.

Having been through both sorts of biopsy, the last thing the last thing I'd have wanted, was the sh*te frightened out of me. 🙂

Edited by member 21 Sep 2026 at 09:50 | Reason: Additional text

User

Posted 21 Sep 2026 at 09:55

There are problems with accuracy and presentation of statistical data in medicine so, from your data, you have twice the risk of serious harm from transrectal biopsy.

It apears that the EU is discouraging the use of transtectal biopsies for reasons of serious harm and acuracy

The point though of my post is that the changes to the provision of PSA testing for men (reduction) is based on balancing the "harm" done by diagnosis or treatment with - what? Well it would appear to be cost. Reducing the age range at which PSA screening is available on the NHS seems to be a way of condeming older men to die earlier than needed.

It is widely known that a sudden rise in PSA is a clear pointer of prostate cancer. This pattern can only be found by regular screening. So, my advice is to get a regular PSA done privately if necessary.

My assumtion is that the NHS isn't really worried about the cost of PSA testing but the cost of doing mpMRI scan where the PSA results indicate possible cancer.

User

Posted 21 Sep 2026 at 12:44

PSA testing could be managed if there was the will to do it. The actual cost of the test is very little. However, having got the results, it would be inevitable that many more men would want an MRI and then Radiation. Professor Mark Emberton, the top Focal consultant in the UK and probably far beyond, is on record as saying that without a very large increase in the number of MRI machines and Liner Accellerators, plus many more trained operators, the NHS could not do this, quite apart from the cost which is another factor. He is in favour of reducing the number of biopsies and relying more on a much shorter MRI scans, at least initially (in another video).

On Biopsies, he says that they haven't done the TRUS one for many years because of the unaceptabe risk of infection. He also says that spreading cancer through needle tracking, though not proven with PCa can't be ruled out because it is known to have happened with some other cancers. One source of his opinions comes in a rather long and sometimes off point interview because it is with an American Doctor and compares USA with UK procedures. He refers to a German study where they went direct from imaging to treatment - no Biopsies.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0toibiLXRjs

Edited by member 21 Sep 2026 at 12:46 | Reason: to highlight link

Barry

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