Welcome to The Brook Surgery Prostate MRI Screening Service. In collaboration with Medical Imaging Partnership (MIP), we are now able to offer a new MRI screening service for our patients
Services Include:
Prostate cancer is extremely common in men over 50 years (indeed, most men in this group will have it at some point in their lives). It will cause harm in relatively few men, so the focus on screening is not to detect all cancers, but to detect the dangerous ones. We therefore have to set up the test so that it spots most dangerous (or high grade) cancers but misses most that are unlikely to cause harm. This is a little different to screening elsewhere in the body: in the prostate we are expecting to miss low grade cancers that are unlikely to cause any problems. It also means that it is probably necessary (as in other screening programs) to undergo screening every few years, rather than just once (the timing is for you and your doctor to decide).
The team have designed a scan for screening according to their experience and the published evidence, although MRI screening for prostate cancer is just beginning around the world, and we are not sure how it will perform. The aim is for it to be short, not need intravenous injections, and detect at least 90% of dangerous tumours with an acceptable rate of ‘false alarms’. It is suitable for men with a normal PSA (we know that 30% of dangerous tumours do not cause a significant increase in this blood test).
The Patient Process:
- You will have had a recent PSA test which is in the normal range for a man of your age, you have had no serious previous prostate problems and you have no current symptoms that make your GP suspect you have prostate cancer.
- You have expressed a wish for a prostate scan or desire one as part of a medical review
- The “bi-parametric” screening scan should last 15-20 minutes. It is shorter (and cheaper) than a full multi-parametric scan, which you would have if your GP suspected you might have prostate cancer. MRI does not use any form of ionizing radiation.
- Throughout the process you will remain under the care of your GP.
- Your scan will be reported by a leading Consultant Uro-Radiologist, will be reported within 48 hours, and the report sent to your GP, who will provide you with a copy. There are three possible outcomes and a traffic light system will be used for the report.
- Green: your prostate appears completely normal.
- Amber: there is cause for concern, but nothing obviously diagnosable as cancer. You should talk to your GP about possible next steps.
- Red: there is an obvious lesion, so your GP will refer you to a Urologist for further investigation.
- You should be aware that the Private Medical Insurers do not currently pay for screening scans of the prostate, so you will have to pay for the scan yourself. If you have Private Medical Insurance, and you either need a multi-parametric scan or are referred to a Urologist, most private insurance plans will cover this – but you should check with your provider.
The Price of the scan is £750. To learn more and determine if you’re a suitable candidate click here , or please contact our reception at 020 7435 0211.
