A simple test homely of saliva can identify genetic factors that predispose to the disease, potentially saving thousands of lives, according to a new study.
Early diagnosis of prostate cancer increases significantly the possibilities of effective treatment. This innovative test analyzes the genetic variants associated with the disease.
I study BARCODE 1, led by the Institute of Cancer Research in London and the Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, promises to “turn the tide” of prostate cancer.
“With this test, it might be possible reverse the trend of prostate cancer,”
said Ros Eeles, professor at the Institute of Cancer Research and consultant at the Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust.
“We have shown that a simple, inexpensive saliva test to identify men at elevated risk due to their genetic makeup is one effective tool to diagnose cancer early.”
Researchers used saliva samples to calculate prostate cancer polygenic risk scores (PRS) for more than 6,000 European men. All participants were recruited through their family doctors when they were between 55 and 69 years old, an age at which the risk of prostate cancer is increased.
Polygenic risk scores
PRSs have been based on 130 genetic variants, many of them hereditaryshown to be linked to prostate cancer through DNA studies of hundreds of thousands of men.
According to the study, men with scores of risk higher (10%) were asked to undergo further tests. After an MRI and a prostate biopsy, 187 of them (40% of the total) were diagnosed with prostate cancer.
This represents a significant increase from the 25% of men identified by PSA (prostate specific antigen) tests who actually have prostate cancer. Additionally, 147 (78%) of men diagnosed through new salivary test they had “normal” PSA levels, which would usually not require further testing, according to the researchers.
“There is currently no reliable way to detect aggressive prostate cancer, but this study brings us one step closer to detecting the disease in people who need treatment,” said Naser Turabi, director of Cancer Research UK’s Evidence and Implementation .
An encouraging development for cancer
Naser expressed optimism that genetic testing could lead to more targeted prostate cancer screening based on individual risk. “Further research is needed to confirm whether this tool can save lives from the disease so it can be implemented to improve diagnosis.”
According to the American Cancer Society, prostate cancer can be serious, but most men diagnosed do not die from the disease. In fact, more than 3.3 million men in the United States who have been diagnosed with prostate cancer at some point are still alive today. However, approximately 1 in 44 men will die from prostate cancer.
The ACS reports that the prostate cancer death rate fell by half between 1993 and 2013, likely due to early detection and advances in treatment. In recent years, the mortality rate has stabilized, probably reflecting the increase in cancers discovered in advanced stages.
What do you think about this new saliva test for prostate cancer? Would you get tested for prevention?
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