Overview

• PRIME, a multicentre study of 555 men across 22 hospitals in 12 countries, found biparametric MRI detected clinically important prostate cancer at the same rate as the three‑part standard (29%).
• The streamlined scan takes about 15–20 minutes versus 30–40 minutes, avoids contrast dye, and reduces the need for a clinician to be present during the exam.
• Reported NHS figures indicate a substantially lower per‑scan price for the two‑part approach, with several outlets citing a 47% reduction, though one article listed a higher baseline cost than others.
• The JAMA‑published trial was led by UCL, UCLH and the University of Birmingham, with funding from the John Black Charitable Foundation and Prostate Cancer UK.
• Prostate Cancer UK welcomed the results and pointed to the forthcoming TRANSFORM screening trial, while independent experts cautioned about overdiagnosis definitions and stressed training and quality control to ensure consistent performance.