Prostate cancer could be detected early by a simple urine test, according to new research.
Prostate cancer remains one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths among men. Currently, the traditional PSA (prostate-specific antigen) blood test is used to detect the cancer. One of the main hurdles in diagnosing prostate cancer is the lack of exact biomarkers able to identify the presence of an early tumor.
In a new study published in the journal Cancer Research, researchers have identified new biomarkers of “high diagnostic precision.” The test analyses genes that are linked to prostate cancer, providing a more precise and non-invasive method for early detection of the disease.
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The models were analyzed with AI to find proteins that can be used as biomarkers. These biomarkers were then analysed in the blood, prostate tissue, and urine of almost 2,000 patients.
Principal investigator Professor Mikael Benson, of the Karolinska Institute, said, “There are many advantages to measuring biomarkers in urine. It’s non-invasive and painless and can potentially be done at home. The sample can then be analysed using routine methods in clinical labs.”
Early-stage prostate cancer often has no noticeable symptoms. However, as the cancer progresses, symptoms may include problems with urination, weight loss, or painful ejaculation.
The current PSA test, used to detect cancer, often leads to false positives or unnecessary biopsies. This new urine test, however, addresses these shortcomings by offering a more accurate evaluation of cancer risk.
