‘Prostate Cancer’ Breakthrough Study: Say Goodbye to Risky Biopsy Tests with MRI Scans

MRI scans are suggested to be the new way to avoid the increase of men affected by prostate cancer. The research voices out that every man suspected to be diagnosed with the deadly disease should get themselves check for further actions needed. The study showed that MRI scans are more effective than the biopsies known to be the only way to identify symptoms.

Fox News reported that men who get treated for prostate cancer had been minimized to 8 percent during the year 2007-2012. The reason concluded for the plummet was the lack of trust in the effectiveness of biopsy screenings. Dr. Tudor Borza noted that "Information is power" and that "Knowing where you stand allows you to make the best decisions." He recognizes that biopsy tests are indeed a massive risk to take. Yet, it is still up to men whether they would undergo the test.

Fortunately, a new study had just arisen that showed men could avoid biopsy tests as The Age reported. Men find biopsy tests a massive risk because it is a method wherein disadvantages arise. Serious side effects that are life threatening when done through the rectum are found to might be experienced. The British study known to establish MRI scans to be a better method than biopsies was published last Jan. 19 on The Lancet. The study included 576 men in which a small tissue of who were found to have the symptoms and it was identified through MRI scans.

The study proved that the £315 MRI screening tests are more effective than biopsies. It was shown in the study that 93 percent of cancer could be seen through MRI scans wherein biopsies could only find 48 percent. Biopsies are also found to miss out the tumor rather than MRI scans who clearly identify the tumors. It was also shown in the test that nearly 27 percent out of the 576 men didn’t need a biopsy at all. Amid the success that proved MRI scans to be more effective than biopsies, BBC mentioned that NHS officials are yet to further see to it whether the method would be introduced widely.