Imaging reduces prostate cancer biopsies: study
Government funding of multiparametric MRI of the prostate is also increasing equity in healthcare, clinicians say
Prostate imaging is likely sparing patients from biopsies at a rate of more than 400 a month in Australia, urologists and radiologists say.
In an analysis of data from 2007-2019 the team from the University of Melbourne found the introduction of the technology in 2012 coincided with a reduction of 355 prostate biopsies per month.
When Medicare funding became available in the 2018-19 financial year, it took the figure to 414 fewer biopsies per month, they reported.
Their analysis took into account the drop in PSA tests that occurred following the 2012 US Preventative Services Task Force grade D recommendation against PSA screening.
