A new blood test may detect prostate cancer with more accuracy than the gold-standard tests currently available.
The Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) test is a blood test used primarily to screen for prostate cancer. The PSA test measures the level of a protein called prostate-specific antigen (PSA) in the blood. PSA is produced by the prostate gland, and a high level of PSA can be a sign of prostate cancer. However, a high level of PSA can also be caused by other things, such as an enlarged prostate or prostatitis.
The current PSA test does detect prostate cancer, but it is not perfect. Research shows that three our of four men (?) with high PSA levels will not have prostate cancer, and one in seven men with prostate cancer will have a normal PSA result.
- False Positives. According to some studies, the rate of false positives is significant; many men with elevated PSA do not have prostate cancer upon further examination.
- False Negatives. On the other hand, a “normal” PSA level does not completely rule out prostate cancer. Some men with low PSA levels still have prostate cancer.
The Prostate Screening EpiSwitch (PSE) is a new blood test that is being developed to detect prostate cancer. It is a combination of the PSA test, which is a standard test for prostate cancer, and an epigenetic test, which looks at changes in the DNA of cancer cells.
The epigenetic test looks at changes in the DNA of cancer cells. These changes can be caused by things like smoking, exposure to chemicals, or even diet. The epigenetic test can help to identify cancer cells that are more likely to spread or become aggressive.
The PSE test combines the information from the PSA test and the epigenetic test to give a more accurate picture of the risk of prostate cancer. In a study of 147 men, the PSE test was able to detect prostate cancer with 94% accuracy. This is much better than the PSA test, which is only accurate about 70% of the time.
The PSE test is still under development, but it has the potential to be a more accurate and effective way to screen for prostate cancer and could save lives. If you are concerned about your risk of prostate cancer, talk to your doctor about the PSE test.
Here are some of the benefits of the PSE test :
- It is more accurate than the PSA test.
- It can help to identify cancer cells that are more likely to spread or become aggressive.
- It is minimally invasive.
- It is relatively inexpensive.
However, there are some limitations to the PSE test:
- It is still under development.
- It is not yet widely available.
- It is not clear how well it works in people with other medical conditions.
