Home / Health / New Blood Test Spots Twice as Much High-Risk Prostate Cancer
New Blood Test Spots Twice as Much High-Risk Prostate Cancer
23 Jun
Summary
- New blood test detects 90% of significant prostate cancers.
- Current PSA screening methods identify only 42% of cases.
- Findings may lead to wider prostate cancer screening rollout.
A groundbreaking blood test has demonstrated the ability to detect high-risk prostate cancer with significantly greater accuracy than current methods. The Stockholm3 test, studied in over 12,000 men aged 50 to 74, identified up to 90 percent of clinically significant prostate cancers. This far surpasses the 42 percent detection rate of standard prostate-specific antigen (PSA) measurements.
The research, published in the Annals of Internal Medicine, has garnered attention from the UK National Screening Committee (UK NSC). The committee's recent recommendations for strict testing limitations have been met with concern by campaigners. They advocate for a review of this new Swedish evidence, emphasizing its potential to improve detection while minimizing harm.
Prostate cancer is the most diagnosed cancer in the UK, yet it lacks a national screening program. The UK NSC's current stance prioritizes screening for men with BRCA2 gene variants and a relevant family history, citing concerns about PSA test unreliability. However, advancements like the Stockholm3 test and ongoing trials such as the £60 million Transform trial aim to revolutionize screening accuracy and safety.
