Lots in the news today about a 'breakthrough' in the detection of Prostate Cancer using advanced MRI scanning.

To the best of my knowledge MRI has been used for some time and it is a great tool for finding and pinpointing areas of the Prostate which look suspicious. In my own case I had an MRI which showed several abnormalities. I then had a biopsy which proved that I did have several cancerous cells. The MRI is a fantastic guide for the biopsy doctor to use to ensure accurate areas of the gland are tested.

However, MRI is expensive and as far as I'm aware there is no planned national screening planned.

Which leads us to the original problem - How can Prostate Cancer or suspicion of PC be detected in the first place.

In my own case I have had PSA tests for the past 10 years which regularly produced a PSA level of 3. A test in early 2015 produced a result of 4.1. In it's own not a high level but as it showed a 33% increase my doctor thought further investigation was sensible. Even a physical examination failed to detect and problems.

At that time, and indeed never, have I had any symptoms related to Prostate Cancer.

This is obviously a worry for the male population as a whole. It's very easy NOT to have a test

Should GP's advise a regular PSA test in all males over the age of 50? It's a simple blood test which takes very little time. If every male over 50 had, say, a test every 3 years I wonder how many cases could be discovered before it was too late?

I wonder what the cost of such testing would be? And whether the test would save money in the long term by reducing the number os serious PC cases?

Perhaps there are some doctors out there who might wish to comment?

Any advancement in the detection and treatment of this killer is welcome, but we must all remember that PSA testing may well be the place to start.