'Game changer' new prostate cancer test is 96% accurate

A PROSTATE cancer test could detect the disease in nearly all men, scientists say.

- Martin Bagot

The "game-changing" test, with an accuracy of 96%, checks DNA and proteins circulating in the blood.

It has been backed by Olympic champion Sir Chris Hoy, whose own disease was detected too late and now has a terminal diagnosis.

The UK National Screening Committee, which advises the government, is reviewing prostate cancer guidelines and a trial is underway to devise the first national screening program.

The current prostate-specific antigen test, used by the NHS when people have symptoms, is not accurate enough as a general population screening test on its own because it flags too many false positives.