MRI for clinically suspected prostate cancer-the disparity between private and public sectors.

Background: There is increasing evidence to implement multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI) for biopsy-naive men with clinically suspected prostate cancer (PCa). This will reduce the number of unnecessary trans rectal ultrasound biopsies (TRUS-Bx) performed and reduce the number of indolent cancers diagnosed.

Aims: To assess current clinical practices for investigating clinically suspected prostate cancer in Ireland and determine if private health insurance providers are offering mpMRI scans in biopsy-naive men.