Latest news with #OxfordBioDynamics
Daily Mail
a day ago
- Health
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE Breakthrough British prostate cancer test could avoid need for biopsies in 80pc of men
A British-made prostate cancer test could avoid the need for biopsies in four out of five cases, according to a study. The EpiSwitch PSE next generation blood test uses advances in technology to identify prostate cancer, the most common form of the disease among men in the UK. The test, made by Oxford BioDynamics, has an accuracy of 94 per cent in identifying prostate cancer, a dramatic leap compared with the standard test along, which is reckoned to be correct in only around half of cases. Crucially, a peer-reviewed study due to be published in the Cancers medical journal, accepts the findings that up to 80 per cent of patients could potentially avoid unnecessary prostate biopsies - an often invasive procedue considered one of the biggest stumbling blocks in men going to get tested in the first place. The study concludes: 'Across models, up to 79.1 per cent of patients could safely defer biopsy based on PSE results, highlighting the test's potential to reduce invasive procedures without compromising diagnostic safety.' Dr Alexandre Akoulitchev, chief scientific officer at Oxford BioDynamics, said: 'This study builds on our earlier robust clinical validation work which demonstrated the application of EpiSwitch PSE as a precise, minimally invasive test that empowers clinicians and patients with clarity, reduced patient risk, and improved outcomes, while easing the pressure on the diagnostic pathway.' The paper said the innovation could effectively save the NHS significant amounts of money by reducing the amount of men sent for biopsies and MRI scans, reducing pressure on the service. The study reckoned this translated to a saving of almost £1,000 per patient. Oliver Kemp, chief executive of UK charity Prostate Cancer Research (PCR), said: 'This study shows how smarter testing can save millions while improving care for patients. 'Reducing unnecessary biopsies and scans means less stress for men and more capacity in the system.' Oxford BioDynamics worked with leading researchers and clinicians at the Imperial NHS Trust, Imperial College London, and the University of East Anglia to produce EpiSwitch. It is used following a PSA test - meaning prostate-specific antigen, identifying whether the protein levels produced by the gland are raised - and measures five markers to identify the likelihood of cancer being present. The firm's headquarters were visited by former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak in February this year, as he backed calls for a targeted national screening programme for men most at risk of prostate cancer. In government, Mr Sunak announced with charity PCR a £42 million screening trial to find ways of detecting prostate cancer earlier. But it is hoped a national screening programme would be the most effective way to prevent unnecessary deaths. The Mail has long campaigned for a national roll-out, a cause backed by the likes of Sir Stephen Fry, a former prostate cancer patient. The UK national screening committee has come under increasing pressure to reconsider testing policy following the news last year of Sir Chris Hoy's diagnosis with the terminal illness. Prostate cancer most frequently affects black men and those with a family history. It is often symptomless, meaning early detection is crucial in stopping the disease's spread. Earlier this week, newscaster Dermot Murnaghan revealed he is battling stage-four prostate cancer.
BBC News
25-02-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Rishi Sunak 'honoured' to become prostate cancer ambassador
Former prime minister Rishi Sunak has said he is "honoured" to become a prostate cancer charity will support Prostate Cancer Research's campaign to introduce a national screening programme for men at high risk of the met workers developing a new blood test at the laboratories of British cancer diagnostics company Oxford BioDynamics last EpiSwitch PSE test is said to be able to detect prostate cancer with 94% accuracy, which the charity called a "significant improvement" on the most commonly used prostate-specific antigen test. Former Conservative leader Sunak, who is the MP for Richmond and Northallerton, said he wanted to "support the charity's mission to revolutionise diagnosis and treatment"."Men tend to ignore pain hoping it'll go away rather than going to see the GP, and that's a part of the reason why prostate cancer is now the most commonly diagnosed cancer in males in the UK," he said."We can do something about that. It is clear from a trial that I funded when I was in office, that early detection saves lives."He added he hoped his work for the charity would encourage more men to get a screening test "which will hopefully prevent further needless deaths".Last month in the House of Commons, he pressed the government to consider increasing screenings for high-risk Ross, executive chairman of Oxford BioDynamics, said more than nine out of 10 men who received a positive EpiSwitch PSE result would have prostate cancer can "significantly cut" the number of "expensive and unnecessary MRI scans" and invasive prostate biopsies, he Kemp, chief executive of Prostate Cancer Research, called Sunak's support "invaluable"."Rishi's advocacy will help us drive forward innovative research, challenge health inequalities, and ensure that more lives are saved," he added. You can follow BBC Oxfordshire on Facebook, X, or Instagram.
The Independent
25-02-2025
- Health
- The Independent
Rishi Sunak ‘honoured' to become prostate cancer charity ambassador
Former prime minister Rishi Sunak has said he is 'honoured' to become an ambassador for a prostate cancer charity. He will support Prostate Cancer Research's campaign to introduce a national screening programme for men at high risk of the disease. Last Thursday Mr Sunak met workers at the laboratories of British cancer diagnostics company Oxford BioDynamics, where they are working on a new blood test. The EpiSwitch PSE test can detect prostate cancer with 94% accuracy, which is a 'significant improvement' on the most commonly used PSA test, Prostate Cancer Research said. The former Conservative leader said he was honoured to 'support the charity's mission to revolutionise diagnosis and treatment'. He added: ' Men tend to ignore pain hoping it'll go away rather than going to see the GP, and that's a part of the reason why prostate cancer is now the most commonly diagnosed cancer in males in the UK. 'We can do something about that. It is clear from a trial that I funded when I was in office, that early detection saves lives. 'Catching the cancer early drastically improved survival rates, however that survival rate drops by half if it's caught late. 'A targeted national screening programme will help save many lives.' The MP for Richmond and Northallerton added: 'I hope my work as ambassador for Prostate Cancer Research will encourage more men to be able to speak about their experience with prostate cancer and get a screening test which will hopefully prevent further needless deaths.' Last month in the Commons, he pressed the Government to consider increasing screenings for prostate cancer for high-risk groups. More than nine out of 10 men who receive a positive EpiSwitch PSE result will have prostate cancer confirmed, said Iain Ross, executive chairman of Oxford BioDynamics. This can 'significantly cut' the number of 'expensive and unnecessary MRI scans' and invasive prostate biopsies, he added. Oliver Kemp, chief executive of Prostate Cancer Research, said Mr Sunak's 'ongoing support for our mission to revolutionise prostate cancer diagnosis and treatment is invaluable'. He said: 'Rishi's advocacy will help us drive forward innovative research, challenge health inequalities, and ensure that more lives are saved.' The EpiSwitch test is an example of 'groundbreaking innovation' that could 'transform early detection' and improve outcomes, he said. Research that benefits patients aims to build a future where 'a prostate cancer diagnosis is no longer something to fear', he added.
Yahoo
25-02-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Rishi Sunak ‘honoured' to become prostate cancer charity ambassador
Former prime minister Rishi Sunak has said he is 'honoured' to become an ambassador for a prostate cancer charity. He will support Prostate Cancer Research's campaign to introduce a national screening programme for men at high risk of the disease. Last Thursday Mr Sunak met workers at the laboratories of British cancer diagnostics company Oxford BioDynamics, where they are working on a new blood test. The EpiSwitch PSE test can detect prostate cancer with 94% accuracy, which is a 'significant improvement' on the most commonly used PSA test, Prostate Cancer Research said. The former Conservative leader said he was honoured to 'support the charity's mission to revolutionise diagnosis and treatment'. He added: 'Men tend to ignore pain hoping it'll go away rather than going to see the GP, and that's a part of the reason why prostate cancer is now the most commonly diagnosed cancer in males in the UK. 'We can do something about that. It is clear from a trial that I funded when I was in office, that early detection saves lives. 'Catching the cancer early drastically improved survival rates, however that survival rate drops by half if it's caught late. 'A targeted national screening programme will help save many lives.' The MP for Richmond and Northallerton added: 'I hope my work as ambassador for Prostate Cancer Research will encourage more men to be able to speak about their experience with prostate cancer and get a screening test which will hopefully prevent further needless deaths.' Last month in the Commons, he pressed the Government to consider increasing screenings for prostate cancer for high-risk groups. More than nine out of 10 men who receive a positive EpiSwitch PSE result will have prostate cancer confirmed, said Iain Ross, executive chairman of Oxford BioDynamics. This can 'significantly cut' the number of 'expensive and unnecessary MRI scans' and invasive prostate biopsies, he added. Oliver Kemp, chief executive of Prostate Cancer Research, said Mr Sunak's 'ongoing support for our mission to revolutionise prostate cancer diagnosis and treatment is invaluable'. He said: 'Rishi's advocacy will help us drive forward innovative research, challenge health inequalities, and ensure that more lives are saved.' The EpiSwitch test is an example of 'groundbreaking innovation' that could 'transform early detection' and improve outcomes, he said. Research that benefits patients aims to build a future where 'a prostate cancer diagnosis is no longer something to fear', he added.
