30 November 2023 , 08:55
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A DIY test for prostate cancer that’s promoted by tv doctors has been accused of doing more harm than good.
The £20 urine test strip called IcleTest is being sold with the claim that it can help early detection of the condition, which kills around 12,000 men in the UK every year.
One promoter is Dr Christian Jessen, the former Embarrassing Bodies presenter, who says on a Facebook video: “You get a result in about 20 seconds and if it comes back positive you need to go and have a chat with your GP. I’m sure you’ve heard me and other doctors go on a lot about the importance of early detection and early treatment leading to the best possible outcome and this IcleTest can help us to achieve exactly that.”
Christian Jessen in Facebook promotion for IcleTestAnother prominent backer is Dr Hilary Jones of ITV’s Good Morning Britain, who says on his Facebook plug: “This could be the most important pee of your life.”
The home page of IcleTest.co.uk urges: “Test for invisible traces of blood in your pee - it can be an early sign of prostate, bladder, or kidney cancer.”
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However, IcleTest has been singled out for criticism in an article by the charity Prostate Cancer UK headed “The problem with home urine tests for prostate cancer”.
IcleTest costs £20 eachIt says that while visible blood in urine is a recognised but rare indication of prostate cancer, invisible blood - known as “microscopic haematuria” - of the sort tested for by IcleTest is not.
“As far as we are aware there is no evidence to support any claims that it indicates an increased risk of prostate cancer or is an ‘early warning sign’,” says the charity.
“There’s also no evidence testing for it may lead to earlier detection of prostate cancer. No evidence is provided by the manufacturer either.
"A recent study by University College London found 0 cases of prostate cancer in 1,245 patients presenting with microscopic haematuria.
“From what we do know about prostate cancer and microscopic haematuria, the tests are unlikely to be of any benefit whatsoever and may cause unnecessary anxiety.”
The article adds that approved prostate specific antigen or PSA tests are available free from your family doctor.
That view is supported by Vincent Gnanapragasam, Professor of Urology at the University of Cambridge, who warns that men could be falsely reassured that they do not have prostate cancer if the IcleTest is negative.
“Blood in the urine is very, very rarely caused by prostate cancer unless perhaps in some very advanced cases,” he said.
“It is not used nor has any place at all in early detection of prostate cancer.
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“Blood in the urine can be caused by bladder or kidney cancer but a simple low-cost dip test available in any pharmacy will tell you this - no one needs to spend £20 on this product.
“We have now launched a campaign to highlight this fact and the importance of having the proper test and to try and dispel some common myths.
“Unfortunately there is much misinformation out there and it can do more harm than good.”
Icle Test Limited is based in Bromsgrove, Worcestershire, and has two directors, Simon Mason and Nicholas Thomas, both 47.
In a brief joint statement they described testing for prostate cancer as “nuanced”, adding: “In relation to the Prostate Cancer UK article we welcome the opportunity to work with medical charities and clinicians to ensure our messaging is aligned and we are trying to do so.”
Dr Hilary Jones and Christian Jessen did not reply to my queries.