New Urine Test Can Help Diagnose Prostate Cancer

Did you know prostate cancer is one of the most common types of cancer men develop? In fact, over 3,000,000 new U.S. prostate cancer cases are diagnosed each year. The good news is that this type of cancer is usually very treatable, and most patients experience a good outcome with treatment. However, in some cases, prostate cancer can be very aggressive and can grow rapidly. In these types of cases, early detection is imperative so treatment can be sought right away. 

Unfortunately, current prostate-specific antigen tests (PSA) used to screen for prostate cancer aren’t particularly accurate. Up to 80% of men who receive higher-than-normal results on their PSA tests end up having no cancer at all. In an effort to improve screening accuracy and diagnose prostate cancer earlier than ever before, a new urine test was developed by researchers in the United Kingdom. The test helps detect prostate cancer much earlier than PSA tests and may help individuals fight off aggressive types of prostate cancer more effectively with immediate prostate cancer treatment. 

Symptoms of Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer often develops silently, without noticeable symptoms. Only as it progresses and becomes more serious do affected individuals start to notice some of the following symptoms:

• Difficulty urinating
• Erectile dysfunction
• Blood in the semen
• Bone pain
• Pain or discomfort in the pelvic region

Whether you experience these symptoms or not, it’s wise for men to receive a prostate exam by the time they turn 40 if they have two or more close relatives who have been diagnosed with prostate cancer before the age of 65. Receiving the new Prostate Urine Risk (PUR) test can determine with surprising accuracy who will need to receive prostate cancer treatment and who will not need treatment within five years of their initial diagnosis. 

Understanding the New Urine Test

The new PUR test works by separating tested individuals into appropriate groups or categories of risk based on their genetic risk signatures. Based on the results of the test, doctors can determine if a patient requires immediate prostate cancer surgery or if they are dealing with a slow-growing cancer that should be monitored closely over a predetermined period of time. The test has the ability to predict the progression of prostate cancer with more precision than any other available test.  

How the New Test Benefits Patients

Although most prostate cancer cases don’t lead to death, the PUR test can still give patients peace of mind, thanks to its accuracy. Individuals who take the PUR test will be able to detect the presence of cancer earlier than any other current means of prostate cancer detection. They’ll also discover what risk group they fall into so they can decide—along with their doctor—what course of action they should take. 

If used in a clinic setting, PUR testing could help many men avoid unnecessary and painful biopsies and follow-up appointments that are not required for low-risk cases. On the flip side, the test can also identify high-risk cases so patients and doctors at Orange County CyberKnife can pursue life-changing treatment as quickly as possible. To learn more, contact us today!