subject: A Simple Urine Test To Detect Prostate Cancer Risk [print this page] Now, it will be easy to diagnose the men with high risk of prostate cancer. In a lab research scientist have been able to develop first reliable test that have proven twice efficient than its previous one. Moreover, it will be a cheaper test as it will be done on urine rather than blood.
The study was carried out by researchers from the Cancer Research UK (CRUK) Cambridge Research Institute and other research centres in the UK, US and Australia. It has been published in the open access journal PLoS ONE.
The researchers used tissue, blood and urine samples collected from about 336 men with prostate cancer who had biopsies taken or their prostates removed at two UK hospitals between 1995 and 2008. They also used samples obtained from about 215 men taking part in another research study, who did not have prostate cancer or only had benign prostate lesions.
In test, scientists from the renowned cancer institutes of the Britain used results of genetic studies to link low levels of the microsemino beta protein (MSMB) with signs of the disease. It is believed that Low levels of MSMB foretell cancerous changes in the prostate. According to the scientists the test could also help in diagnosis by reducing the number of unnecessary biopsies apart from distinguishing the form and stage of the cancer.
The current blood test measures levels of a protein (called PSA) made by the prostate, and is used only to diagnose the disease rather than predict its onset. Higher False positive than false negative results means it is wrong more often that it is right.
It is believed that three in four men with raised levels of the prostate specific antigen (PSA) protein are found not to have any cancerous cells when they undergo a biopsy, while one in five with prostate cancer has normal PSA readings. As a result, it is hard to predict if the cancerous cell spread to other parts of the body. These facts highlight that the currently used tests are not very accurate and rather inefficient.
Overall, it is a vital research and could work as a long awaited and reliable test in identifying the risk of prostate cancer in men. With further studies and reliability this test can be used clinic and can become a landmark achievement of the scientists.
Benign prostate enlargement (BPH) is a very common condition of prostate enlargement in men. More than 60 % of the men above the age of 70 are said to be having BPH but many remain without any symptoms. Prostate cancer (condition related to BPH) is the second leading cause of death in men after cancer of the lungs. This newly developed test will go a long way in saving many lives.
by: Anita Brown
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