Four new prostate cancer tests have been approved by NHS England that are said to carry a lower risk of infection.
In a boost for prostate cancer diagnosis, the new tests should reduce infection risk in a "quick and cost-effective procedure".
Current prostate cancer tests carry a risk of infection in some instances, as one method for performing biopsies (a tissue sample) comes with a link to serious infections.
How exactly are the new tests safer?
To explain, there are two methods of getting biospies: transrectal ultrasound guided (TRUS) biopsy and a local anaesthetic transperineal (LATP) biopsy.
Approved by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (Nice), the new tests are the latter - LATP biospies.
Nice said that TRUS biopsies can be associated with serious infections, sometimes requiring hospital admission and antibiotics.
The body has approved four new LATP biopsy devices for use in the NHS in England as options for helping to diagnose prostate cancer.
It said that the rates of detection of cancer do not differ between each type of biopsy and that the LATP is more cost effective for the NHS.
Dr Mark Kroese, chairman of the Nice diagnostics advisory committee, said: "People with suspected prostate cancer can now have a different option when it comes to having a biopsy.
"The committee heard from patient experts that there are concerns they are not getting clear and accurate information about having a biopsy, they are worried about an associated risk of infection, and the severity and duration of side effects.
"LATP using a freehand needle positioning device for taking a prostate biopsy should reduce unnecessary infections and therefore antibiotic use, benefiting both the patient and the NHS.”
Chiara De Biase, director of support and influencing at Prostate Cancer UK, said: "LATP biopsies have been available on the NHS for several years and are a quick and cost-effective way of detecting prostate cancer.
"Most importantly, however, they result in fewer cases of infection and sepsis than more traditional TRUS biopsies, and ultimately cause less harm to men.
"That's why we're pleased that this technique will now be more widely available to men where clinically appropriate."
