A NEW type of scan that could help catch and treat prostate cancer earlier – possibly resulting in a cure in some cases – is now available at Paul Strickland Scanner Centre.

The centre, located at Mount Vernon Hospital, Northwood, is amongst the very limited number of locations in the UK to offer Gallium-labelled Prostate Specific Membrane Antigen (PSMA) PET-CT scanning.

The new scan could be particularly useful for men who have been treated for prostate cancer and are in remission (but under surveillance with regular blood tests), to make sure that they are clear of the disease.

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Some doctors believe the relatively small number of patients who are at higher risk of developing metastatic disease (where the cancer spreads to outside the prostate gland) could really benefit, and it could mean catching and treating their cancer earlier – possibly resulting in a cure.

Though it is readily used in Europe, PSMA PET-CT scanning is not currently available on the NHS, but your NHS doctor may be able to refer you if you’re able to secure funding from elsewhere.

If you’re interested in a PSMA PET-CT scan, talk to your doctor or medical team.