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 inside 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 test for the disease as part of its Find it Earlier campaign.
It comes after a survey of almost 1,000 men found 46% thought they would need a rectal exam, and this was one of the biggest factors putting them off getting tested. Sophie Smith, senior specialist nurse at Prostate Cancer UK, said: “If you’re thinking about getting a prostate cancer test, one of the first things that comes to mind is probably a doctor putting their finger up your bum. We hear it everywhere, from TV shows to jokes with mates, 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 getting tested for prostate cancer means you need 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 from your GP. Thanks to recent advances like MRI scans being introduced and more effective therapies becoming available, the way we diagnose and treat prostate cancer is now more accurate, effective, and safe than it has ever been.” Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men, .
