Prostate cancer test requests "turned down"

Monday 1st March 2010

A fifth of men classed as being in an "at-risk" age group who ask their GP for a test used to diagnose prostate cancer have their requests turned down, a survey has shown.

Seven out of 10 men are unaware they even have the right to ask for a PSA blood test, which could be a lifesaver for some people.

Men from poor backgrounds are more likely to be uninformed about the test, according to the survey.

Poorer men are three times less likely to request a PSA blood reading from their doctor than men from higher socio-economic groups.

John Neate, chief executive of The Prostate Cancer Charity, which commissioned the survey, said: "Our survey highlights the critical role GPs play in providing balanced information to men about the PSA test.

"It is completely unacceptable that so many men at risk of prostate cancer are unaware of their right to request a PSA test.

"We must move swiftly to a position of universal informed choice where all men are made aware of their right to request a test and to be given clear information about its usefulness and limitations so they can decide whether having the test is right for them."

The Prostate Cancer Charity

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