MRI scanning could lead to major cut in prostate cancer deaths, UK study finds

The chief investigator of the study says it shows the need for a new approach to screening for the most common cause of cancer among men. Photograph: Panther Media GmbH/Alamy

Using MRI scans to screen men for prostate cancer could reduce deaths from the disease significantly, researchers have suggested.

Scientists said current tests, which detect the level of the protein prostate-specific antigen (PSA) in the blood, have been linked to overdiagnosis and overtreatment of low-risk cancer.