Prostate MRI Has Independent Screening Value

WEDNESDAY, Aug. 23, 2023 (HealthDay News) -- Prostate magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has a value for screening independent of prostate-specific antigen (PSA), according to a study published online Aug. 21 in BMJ Oncology.

Caroline M. Moore, M.D., from University College London, and colleagues reported a systematic community-based assessment of the prevalence of prostate MRI lesions among men aged 50 to 75 years. Men were identified from eight participating general practitioner practices and were randomly selected for invitation to a screening MRI and PSA. The U.K. Standard National Health Service (NHS) prostate cancer assessment was recommended for those with a positive MRI or elevated PSA density.

Invitations were sent to 2,096 men; 457 responded, and 303 completed both screening tests. The researchers found that older White men were most likely to respond to the invitation; the acceptance rate for Black men was 20 percent of that for White men. Sixteen percent of men had a positive screening MRI, and 5 percent had a raised PSA density alone. Overall, 9.6 percent of men were diagnosed with clinically significant cancer and 1 percent with clinically insignificant cancer after NHS assessment. Two-thirds of men with a positive MRI and more than half with clinically significant disease had a PSA <3 ng/mL.

"Given the incomplete overlap of the risk profiles generated by PSA and MRI, we would encourage each to be used in further research, to assess whether a stepwise approach can be adopted," the authors write.

Several authors disclosed ties to the biopharmaceutical and medical device industries.

Abstract/Full Text