Doctors are recruiting more black men for a trial aimed at finding a more accurate way to screen for prostate cancer, as current blood tests are not reliable enough for the general population.
Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers in men, but the standard prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test often gives false positives or misses cancers, leading to unnecessary biopsies and anxiety. Researchers have long known that black men are at higher risk of developing prostate cancer and tend to be diagnosed at a younger age with more aggressive forms of the disease.
“A UK trial is expanding recruitment of black men for a prostate cancer screening study that aims to improve on the PSA blood test by combining it with genetic risk scores and MRI scans.”
The trial, led by experts from UK universities and hospitals, is designed to see whether combining a blood test with a genetic risk score or an MRI scan could improve detection rates. The goal is to create a screening programme that works better for all men, but particularly for those with a higher genetic predisposition.
In England, around 47,000 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer each year, and black men are about two to three times more likely to develop it than white men. The trial is being expanded to include more black participants from London, Birmingham and Manchester to ensure the results are representative of the populations most at risk.
In Scotland, similar recruitment efforts are underway, with NHS health boards in Glasgow and Edinburgh taking part. Wales and Northern Ireland have also signed up, though the numbers of black men in those regions are smaller, so the focus remains on urban centres with larger black communities.
Experts say that a one-size-fits-all approach using only the PSA test is inadequate. 'We know that for black men the PSA test performs worse, so we need to find alternatives that give them the best chance of early detection,' said one of the lead researchers, speaking on condition of anonymity because the results have not yet been published.
The trial is expected to report its initial findings within two years. If successful, it could lead to a national screening programme targeting high-risk groups, similar to the way breast cancer screening is offered based on age and family history. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence has already indicated it would fast-track any new evidence.
For UK readers, this trial could mean that if you are a black man over 45, you may be invited for a free screening that combines a blood test with a genetic check or a short MRI scan. For men of other ethnicities, the results may still lead to a more accurate test that reduces the number of unnecessary prostate biopsies, which can cause pain and infection.
Homeowners and renters should note that the trial is free and does not require any change to your GP registration. Workers who are self-employed or on shift patterns can arrange appointments at flexible times. Pensioners and those with existing health conditions will still be eligible, as the trial includes men with a range of medical histories. Students aged 45 or over are also welcome.
The trial is funded by Cancer Research UK and the Bobby Moore Fund, and is being coordinated by the University of Oxford and King's College London.