Prostate blood test ‘may save men’s lives’

Scientists found the risk of dying fell by almost a third after the widespread introduction of the PSA (prostate specific antigen) test in the late 1980s and early 1990s, apparently contradicting previous studies.

The PSA test identifies a protein in the blood that can signify the presence of prostate cancer.

Critics say the test is too unreliable to be used for routine screening, which is why there is no automatic PSA testing in the UK.

But the new American study suggests it can save lives.

The test is used more often in the US than the UK, though the American Cancer Society no longer recommends it for routine screening.

Scientists studied survival data from prostate cancer trials conducted before and after PSA testing was introduced in 1987.

In the two earlier trials, which enrolled patients between 1985 and 1994, typical patient survival was 30 and 33 months.

By the time the later trial was conducted, between 1995 and 2009, survival had increased to 49 months. The risk of death had reduced by around 30 per cent.

All the patients had newly diagnosed advanced cancer that had spread to the bones and were receiving hormone deprivation therapy.

African American survival rose rates rose from 27 months to 48 months because men of African descent are more likely to have an aggressive cancer.

Study leader Professor Ian Thompson, from the University of Texas, said: “Our analysis indicates an overall improvement in risk adjusted survival rates for non-African American and African American men. ”

The research is published in the Journal of Urology. Previous studies have suggested that PSA testing saves few lives and in many cases can lead to risky and unnecessary treatments.