Men born at high risk of developing prostate cancer should have extra checks every year from the age of 40, experts say.
According to the BBC, Scientists at the Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) said an annual blood test could help spot tumours early, when they were easier to treat.
The ICR researchers said about one in 300 men in the UK had mutations in Brca2, which increases their risk. However, most will not know whether they carry the mutation in their DNA as it is not routinely tested for.
Prof Ros Eeles said: “Our research shows very clearly that men with the Brca2 gene fault are at increased risk of aggressive prostate cancer and that regular PSA testing could go some way to improving early diagnosis and treatment.
She said men or anyone with a prostate and Brca2 mutations were nearly twice as likely to have a severe cancer that needed treatment rather than simple monitoring.
Dr Matthew Hobbs, from the charity Prostate Cancer UK, said: “[We are] funding a project to model the long-term effectiveness of a range of potential screening strategies, including defining whether there are certain high-risk groups for whom the benefits of regular screening greatly outweighs the potential for overtreatment.
Prostate Cancer UK said any decisions needed to be made carefully.
