New ‘pivotal’ prostate screening trial could reduce deaths caused by the disease by almost HALF, scientists hope

A “PIVOTAL” prostate cancer screening trial could almost halve deaths caused by the disease, scientists hope.

Prostate Cancer UK is starting a government-funded trial to find the best way to check men for tumors.

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It is the most common type of cancer in men, with 52,000 cases and 12,000 deaths per year in the UK.

More than 300,000 men will be involved in testing blood tests, MRI scans and genetic tests to see how best to detect cancer cells early.

It is hoped that finding the ideal combination could reduce mortality rates by 40%.

The study will be the biggest of its kind for 20 years, lasting more than a decade and costing £42 million, with £16 million from the National Institute for Health and Care Research.

This is a pivotal moment in the history of prostate cancer research

Dr Matthew HobbsProstate cancer in the UK

Dr Matthew Hobbs, director of research at Prostate Cancer UK, said: “We hope to double the number of men who could be saved through screening.

“We know that early diagnosis saves lives, so we must prove that there are better ways of finding aggressive prostate cancer that will save even more lives and cause less harm.

“This could save the lives of thousands of men every year in the UK alone and also change practice globally – so we are at tens of thousands of men saved every year.

“This is a pivotal moment in the history of prostate cancer research.”

Leading researchers from Imperial College London, the Institute of Cancer Research, Queen Mary University and University College London will join.

The massive trial will create the largest-ever bank of prostate cancer samples, images and data to feed future technology.

Men suspected of having prostate cancer currently have prostate specific antigen (PSA) blood tests, but these are not yet accurate enough for general NHS screening.

Health Minister Andrew Stephenson said: “Screening for the most common cancer in men is complex, but we are supporting innovative trials like this to improve diagnostic processes and save thousands more lives.”