Researchers to investigate screening for prostate cancer using MRI

A new clinical study will test for the first time if MRI scans can be used for population screening to detect prostate cancer more accurately. The current prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test is considered too unreliable for population screening, but researchers will investigate whether MRI could be used to screen men to pick up cancers earlier and more reliably, potentially helping to save lives. They will also study whether, combined with cutting-edge techniques such as genomics and machine learning, MRI scans can replace prostate biopsies. Prostate cancer patients advising the study say they are particularly excited by the prospect of large reduction in biopsies, as they have serious side effects in the majority of patients, which include pain, bleeding, infections leading to sepsis, and urine retention. A group, led by Professor Mark Emberton at University College London - in partnership with King's College London, Imperial College London and at least 12 industry partners - aims to recruit 1000 men with medium to high risk cancers to find out if MRI can be combined with other high-tech diagnostic tests to predict cancer progression. New research. The new study is being launched with funding of £4.1m from the Medical Research Council (MRC) and £1m from Cancer Research UK.