New Delhi: Prostate cancer is one of the deadliest forms of the disease which can raise the risk of death in men. It is often diagnosed at an advanced stage and mostly after 65 years of age. It is characterised by the growth of a tumour in the prostate gland that obstructs the normal functioning. A key symptom of it is an enlarged prostate and doctors say that regular visits to the doctor and frequent health check-ups can help with timely diagnosis. And now, according to researchers at the Institute for Cancer Research in London, a DIT spit test could be intrumental in detecting the disease and aggressive tumours, thereby reducing the risk of false alarms, and this is said to be more effective and accurate as compared to blood tests.
How to detect prostate cancer with a DIY test?
Researchers said that men can simply spit into a tube at home and send the sample in a lab for analysis. Then their DNA is checked for presence of high-risk genes or damage that could be indicative of cancer. In most cases, doctors say that patients go for scans and exams only when the initial tests are concerning; however, those with low-risk scores are discharged. But this new test, doctors said, can be gamechanging in prostate cancer diagnosis.
Researchers said that the simple and cheap spit test for prostate cancer diagnosis can help men at a high risk identify the disease early on, especially patients who are at a high risk of aggressive cancers and save those who do not need unnecessary treatments. The next step to get the genetic markers across populations to ensure that the test benefits all. The study was presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology conference and it tested the same on 6142 men in the UK. Among these, 187 were tested positive for prostate cancer and many could not have been detected via MRI scans or blood tests alone.
Researchers said that at present no routine screening for prostate cancer. But this new study could be instrumental in turning the tide on cancer diagnosis. In most cases, men aged 50 and above are likely to develop the tumour. It usually forms in the prostate gland, between the bowel and bladder, resulting in problems in urinating or having sex. Survival rate, however, is high for the disease. 80% patients survive for 10 years or more after diagnosis, but only if the disease is detected or treated timely.
Researchers said that the simple and cheap spit test for prostate cancer diagnosis can help men at a high risk identify the disease early on, especially patients who are at a high risk of aggressive cancers and save those who do not need unnecessary treatments. Health News Health News: Latest News from Health Care, Mental Health, Weight Loss, Disease, Nutrition, Healthcare
