Doing twice the number of prostate biopsies could save lives, according to an article published in the journal Urologic Oncology.
In a biopsy, urologists insert a needle into the prostate to get tissue to check out whether or not you have prostate cancer. We usually do six small biopsies.
According to the researchers, increasing the number to 12 does a better job. Current biopsy techniques miss one out of seven tumors. Adding more biopsies -- increasing the number to 12 -- increases the pick-up rate by nearly 14 percent.
Now doctors are still split on what to do about the biopsy issue. Some say, early detection saves lives so do more biopsies.
Others say that while a few early tumors can spread, most don't cause trouble. Picking up tumors early could lead to excessive treatment and difficulties -- for example, impotence or problems from radiation.
Until the issue is settled, talk to your doctor about how many biopsies you need. Have a check-up and PSA test regularly and discuss the biopsy issue.
