The latest breakthrough in prostate cancer diagnosis
Cancer researchers have developed a new prostate cancer blood test reporting a high accuracy of 94%, considerably higher than conventionally used PSA tests. The new Prostate Screening EpiSwitch (PSE), developed at Imperial College London, combines the PSA test with the recently developed epigenetic test, which detects cancer-specific chromosome confirmations in the blood. Converging the two procedures allows for a more accurate diagnosis.1 You can read the full study here
Prostate cancer affects one in six men during their lifetime and is typically diagnosed late. Estimates suggest the current PSA test correctly indicates evidence of prostate cancer (through raised PSA levels) ~25% of the time.2 Many therefore undergo invasive and expensive procedures for further testing. The new PSE test provides enormous potential to improve the diagnostic care of men for prostate cancer and identify men at high risk.
References
- Pchejetski D, et al. Cancers 2023;15(3).
- NHS Prostate Cancer. Should I have a PSA test?. Access: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/prostate-cancer/should-i-have-psa-test/.