Dear Editor,

We have had more queries recently about prostate cancer, and in particular about trying to pick up problems before any symptoms appear. This is called screening, and for many conditions it is very important to pick up early changes, as the treatment is more effective and less troublesome.

Some cancers, such as prostate cancer, don’t actually show any benefit from looking for a diagnosis before symptoms appear. There is a lot of debate about the PSA blood test, which reflects inflammation within the prostate, which may be linked with cancer. The test is not very accurate, as 3 in 4 men with a raised PSA result do not have cancer. At present there is no evidence of benefit from doing a PSA test for men without symptoms.

However, if a man does have symptoms, such as taking a long time to start passing water, not getting a good flow, or being up many times at night, it is worth discussing this with your doctor.

Other conditions, such as cancer of the cervix (neck of the womb), can be cured if diagnosed early. The reason we have a screening program is that cervical smears can pick up subtle changes long before they become cancerous, and are easily treated at an early stage. Smears are offered regularly to women aged 25 to 64.

The HPV vaccination, recommended for teenage girls since 2008, will significantly reduce the chance of cervical cancer in the future, as these cancers are typically caused by the HPV virus. We advise women to keep up to date with smears, as these do save lives.

Alton Street Surgery