There is no need for a rectal exam to check for prostate cancer, the charity says

Almost half of men falsely believe they need invasive tests to check for prostate cancer, a charity has said.

A rectal exam – during which a doctor or nurse will check the inside of a patient’s bottom using their finger – is no longer useful, according to Prostate Cancer UK.

The charity is trying to raise awareness that a simple blood test is now used to screen for the disease as part of its Find it Earlier campaign.

It comes after a survey of almost 1,000 men found that 46% thought they would need a rectal exam and it was one of the biggest factors putting them off getting tested.

Sophie Smith, senior nurse specialist at Prostate Cancer UK, said: “If you’re thinking about having a prostate cancer test, one of the first things that probably comes to mind is that a doctor will put your finger on your butt.

“We hear it everywhere, from TV shows to jokes with friends, and it’s preventing too many men from getting checked for the disease that affects one in eight of them.

“We’re finally putting an end to the misconception that being tested for prostate cancer means you have to have a rectal exam – because in fact, the best first test for the disease is a simple blood test that you can get for free . your family doctor.

“Thanks to recent advances such as the introduction of MRI scans and more effective therapies becoming available, the way we diagnose and treat prostate cancer is now more accurate, efficient and safer than it has ever been.”

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men, with more than 52,000 diagnosed each year.

The risk of developing the disease is higher in men who are black, obese, or have a family history of prostate cancer.

The NHS recommends that men over 50 ask their GP for a PSA test, which measures the amount of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) in the blood.

Laura Kerby, Chief Executive of Prostate Cancer UK, added: “Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men, but many do not realize they are at risk of the disease.

“This, combined with long-standing myths and misconceptions about prostate cancer testing, means too many lives are being cut short.

“The good news is that the earlier you catch prostate cancer, the easier it is to treat – and an earlier diagnosis can save your life.

“That means more summers going on family vacations, more dad dances at your daughter’s wedding, and more comforting seasons watching your team climb the rankings. So the best time to do something about prostate cancer is right now.”

The survey also found that only one in five men knew that prostate cancer tests were not part of routine health checks.

There is currently no screening program for prostate cancer and GPs do not contact men who are considered at higher risk to tell them to get checked.

Seven in 10 men also admitted they would wait until symptoms were really bad before going to the GP.

Tim Scane, 66, from Didcot in Oxfordshire, was diagnosed with prostate cancer early after seeing an advert for Prostate Cancer UK’s Risk Checker on social media.

The avid cyclist felt healthy apart from waking up more at night to use the toilet.

“One day I was scrolling through Facebook and an advert from Prostate Cancer UK came up encouraging men to take their risk checker,” Mr Scane said.

“I clicked and filled it out, and that led me to make an appointment with the family doctor. I’m so glad I did because after an initial blood test I was sent for scans at the hospital which showed that I did in fact have prostate cancer.

“It was a tough time, but I had great support from my family, doctors and nurses.

“Luckily they found it early so the cancer didn’t spread and it could be surgically removed. I have now recovered and am completely fine. Seeing that ad online is the reason I’m cancer-free today, so I’m glad to be part of this campaign to get more men to check their risk like I did.”

In May, Prostate Cancer UK launched the £42 million Transform trial, which will compare different screening methods with current NHS diagnostic processes – which can include blood tests, physical examinations and biopsies.

According to the charity, previous studies using PSA tests and biopsies to detect prostate cancer showed that the method prevented between 8% and 20% of deaths, depending on the regularity of screening.

However, Transform has the potential to reduce prostate cancer deaths by 40%, Prostate Cancer UK said.