Prostate Cancer Screening Guide through Urine

Some day through urine examination is sufficient to determine whether a person is at risk of developing prostate cancer or not. Thus, patients and physicians can decide whether to act immediately or be delayed biopsy.

Through urine screening method developed by a team of scientists from the University of Michigan Health System is done by finding the two markers (marker) genetically related to prostate cancer. “We are exploring several new biomarkers for screening PSA test (prostate-specific antigen),” said Tomlins Dr.Scott conducting this research.

The PSA test is a standardized test in the detection of prostate cancer, but these tests are often unreliable because it could give false positive or negative results. “The results of PSA may indicate a low PSA value but there was a cancer, or vice versa,” he said.

He added that two genetic markers under study are more reliable as an indicator of prostate cancer. One of them even can only be seen in cancer. By searching for genetic markers in the urine, the doctor can provide follow-up actions are required of patients. But Tomlins said that methods are examined test is not perfect.

“It’s hard to say someone does not need a biopsy because there is always a chance of getting prostate cancer, though not having these two genetic markers,” he said. Because it is still in early stages of development and not yet received FDA approval, the test method has not been able to do a public patient, but the tests could be conducted at the University of Michigan, USA.