New prostate cancer test introduced

A new genetic test for prostate cancer with the potential to change the way the disease is detected is set to be launched in the UK.The test is the first of its kind and measures the activity of a gene closely related to prostate cancer.Doctors hope it will make diagnosis more accurate and reduce the unnecessary removal of tissue samples.Around 35,000 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer each year in the UK and 10,000 die from the disease.Currently, the usual diagnostic tool is the Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) test, which looks for raised levels of a protein in the blood that leaks out of the prostate gland.But the PSA test is renowned for providing misleading results. Men with cancer might have low PSA scores, while others with benign conditions have high readings.The new test measures a genetic chemical, messenger RNA, which transfers DNA "instructions" from the PCA3 gene.High scores are only produced when prostate cancer is present, making the test highly specific.Dr Chris Hiley, from The Prostate Cancer charity, said: "The test has the potential to make a big difference to some men's lives by helping doctors decide whether or not to proceed with more biopsies (tissue sample removals), which can be painful and can have unwanted side effects."If the test indicates it is unlikely that the man has prostate cancer this reassures both the man and his doctor, and these repeat tests can be avoided."© Independent Television News Limited 2007. All rights reserved.

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ITN | September 21, 2007

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