Urine Test Hope for Prostate Cancer

by Karenke4 | February 11, 2009 at 05:15 pm

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Scientists have developed a new urine test that will help determine the aggressiveness of prostate cancer. Because not all prostate cancers grow as rapidly as others, this test will be extremely helpful in preventing unneeded and harsh therapies.

Until recently, telling slow moving from aggressive cancers has been extremely difficult. And while testing is still in early stages the ramifications could save doctors and patients both time and money. The test identifies certain molecules that appear in more advanced stages of cancer.

"It raises the possibility of telling the difference between the type of cancer that does no harm - which we term 'the pussycat' - from the type that does - which we call 'the tiger'.

"If we are able to distinguish the tiger from the pussycat it could make a real difference."

John Neate, of The Prostate Cancer Charity, said: "It is too soon to say if the results of this study are a blind alley or a breakthrough but so far results are promising enough for research to continue and could lead to the development of a new test for prostate cancer."

Prostate cancer is one of the most common types of cancer in men, especially in Europe and the US. It is most commonly discovered in prostate screenings regular checkups in men over 50. Though there are not often symptoms in early stages of prostate cancer, symptoms can include painful urination, or blood in the urine.

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