Olympic cyclist Sir Chris Hoy is advocating for improved prostate cancer tests for younger men following his terminal diagnosis in September 2023. His recent interview with the BBC reveals the limitations of the NHS’s current protocol for prostate cancer testing. Sir Chris describes how he was blindsided by his diagnosis and the revelation that the cancer had metastasised to his bones. The shock was compounded by his lack of symptoms besides rib pain. Since then, Sir Chris has continued to underscore the importance of proactively seeking tests, as early-stage prostate cancer does not always manifest symptomatically. Furthermore, he urges those with a family history of the disease to seek a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test from their GP.
Current NHS Protocol Needs Review
The Health Secretary, Wes Streeting, concurs with Sir Chris’s stance and has requested that the NHS review the age threshold for prostate cancer testing. The NHS will conduct an examination and evaluation of the current guidelines for PSA testing.
Current NHS protocol only routinely offers PSA tests to asymptomatic men below the age of 50. This allows lots of patients and their diagnoses to fall through the gaps of the NHS system. Studies indicate that black men, in particular, are more likely to develop prostate cancer at an earlier age in more aggressive forms. Evidence also shows that having a family history of prostate cancer also significantly increases an individual’s risk of developing the disease. These two groups of men are being overlooked and ignored by the current diagnostic framework.
Ideally, the NHS’s verdict will have drawn on crucial data, clinical expertise and the potential benefits for public health.
What is PSA testing?
As it stands, the reliability of PSA testing for prostate cancer has been called into question.
PSA is a protein produced by cells in the prostate. Doctors monitor a patient’s PSA levels, looking for elevated quantities in the blood, as this may indicate prostate cancer. However, PSA testing is not a definitive diagnostic tool, as elevated levels of PSA can be attributed to other conditions, such as prostatitis (inflammation of the prostate).
Currently, NHS screening is limited to cervical, breast, and bowel cancers. Cancer Research UK further explains why the UK does not have a national prostate screening programme for prostate cancer: “because previous research showed that the PSA test isn’t a reliable test that can pick up prostate cancer that needs treatment. Research is going on to find a new test. Or to see if the current test is more effective if used in a different way.”
RMDM’s Solution: PanTum Detect
Unlike PSA testing, PanTum Detect’s accuracy offers a promising tool for early cancer detection, which may prove lifesaving. PanTum Detect is our CE-certified blood test, researched and developed for two decades by Dr Johannes Coy and his team in Germany. PanTum Detect uses innovative EDIM (Epitope Detection in Macrophages) technology to detect tumours at any stage.
PanTum Detect uses a patient’s immune system’s responses to identify universal cancer biomarkers, TKTL1 and Apo1, which can point to tumour formation and early metastasis. This test has been validated to detect over 50 types of cancer, with high sensitivity and specificity, accurately ruling out cancer in healthy individuals.
Stopping People From Falling in Between the Gaps
PanTum Detect has the power to overhaul cancer screening in the NHS if implemented effectively.
Sir Chris was under 50 years old when he received his diagnosis. Had the NHS system had the means to implement a screening programme targeting prostate cancer, his cancer could have been detected and treated sooner.
Early detection of cancer significantly improves a patient’s chances of survival. However, nearly half of all cancers in England are diagnosed at a late stage, with asymptomatic cancers often going undetected until the cancer’s advanced or metastasised. Delays in routine check-ups, tests, and treatments not only prolong waiting times but also worsen health outcomes. PanTum Detect can help speed up diagnosis, enabling earlier intervention, improving patient outcomes, and providing a more reassuring and efficient healthcare experience during a challenging time.
Integrating PanTum Detect into screening programmes would allow healthcare services to identify and filter healthy individuals from those showing signs of suspicious tumours. Those flagged by the test would be referred to a clinician for further consultation and imaging.
Access to a universal test that enhances early detection across multiple cancers can therefore reach a larger portion of the population. This could reduce oversight and prevent patients with malignant tumours from falling through the gaps of a strained health service.
The NHS’s review of prostate cancer testing is a crucial step towards addressing gaps in early prostate cancer diagnosis, particularly for high-risk groups. Sir Chris’s advocacy for better screening highlights the urgent need for more effective tools, such as PanTum Detect, which offers a higher level of accuracy and sensitivity than current tests. By incorporating innovative solutions like PanTum Detect into national screening programs, the NHS could significantly improve early cancer detection, reduce diagnostic delays, and ultimately better patient outcomes. This shift could ensure that fewer individuals are overlooked, providing a more efficient and reassuring healthcare experience for all.
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