GPs cleared to order prostate cancer tests

Blood tests needed to diagnose prostate cancer can be directly ordered by family doctors under a new policy that has been welcomed by GPs.

"This is a very important step forward," the president of the Association of Private Family Doctors, Anthony Azzopardi said.

To date, family doctors wanting to give their patients a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test - a simple blood test that can detect cancer - had to first refer them to see a health centre doctor, who would then decide whether to order the test.

But yesterday, as the health authorities launched a campaign to raise awareness about the importance of early diagnosis of prostate cancer, Health Minister Joe Cassar announced that family doctors could now order the PSA test themselves.

The test is available for free from health centres. Saint James Hospital is offering it at half price, €20, until the end of June in support of the campaign.

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer among Maltese men, although the local incidence of 60.99 per 100,000 is lower than the EU average of 106.20 per 100,000.

"In every developed country there is cause for concern about prostate cancer," the president of the World Foundation of Urology, Mauro Dimitri said.

Prof. Dimitri said those over 45 years old should have an annual check up, including a PSA test. He said men with a family history should start getting tested from the age of 40.

According to figures from the National Cancer Registry, there were 692 new cases of prostate cancer and 139 deaths between 2003 and 2007. There were another 36 deaths in 2008 alone.

"We want to raise awareness about prostate cancer and appeal to all men to do a regular check up," Dr Cassar said.

Prostate cancer is the second most deadly cancer in Malta, following lung cancer.

"We want to catch them early to avoid it developing," Health Promotion Department head Charmaine Gauci said. She emphasised the importance of eating a healthy diet, especially tomatoes, which are full of antioxidants that can go a long way in preventing prostate cancer.

And Prof. Dimitri said Italy was about to patent a new tomato with even more antioxidants.