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A Simple Home Urine Test Could Revolutionize the Diagnosis of Prostate Cancer

A Simple Home Urine Test Could Revolutionize the Diagnosis of Prostate Cancer

prostateThere is revolutionary news in the prostate cancer world. A simple urine test currently being developed to screen for prostate cancer can now use samples collected at home! This according to new research from the University of East Anglia and the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital both located in the UK.

Scientists pioneered the test which diagnoses aggressive prostate cancer and predicts whether patients will require treatment up to five years earlier than standard clinical methods.

 

What Did the Study Show

The study shows how the ‘PUR’ test (Prostate Urine Risk) could be performed on samples collected at home. This would mean that men don’t have to go to a clinic to provide a urine sample. Nor will they have to undergo an uncomfortable rectal examination.

This is an important step forward, because the first urination of the day provides biomarker levels from the prostate that are much higher and more consistent.

 

Lead researcher Dr. Jeremy Clark, from UEA’s Norwich Medical School, said: “Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men in the UK. It usually develops slowly and the majority of cancers will not require treatment in a man’s lifetime. However, doctors struggle to predict which tumors will become aggressive, making it hard to decide on treatment for many men.

“Because the PUR test accurately predicts aggressive prostate cancer, and predicts whether patients will require treatment up to five years earlier than standard clinical methods — it means that a negative test could enable men to only be retested every two to three years, relieving stress to the patient and reducing hospital workload.”

 

How Was the Study Compiled

The research team provided 14 participants with an At Home Collection Kit, and instructions. They then compared the results of their home urine samples, taken first thing in the morning, with samples collected after a digital rectal examination.

It was found that the urine samples taken at home showed the biomarkers for prostate cancer much more clearly than after a rectal examination. And feedback from the participants showed that the at-home test was preferable.

Using the At Home test could in future revolutionize how those on ‘active surveillance’ are monitored for disease progression, with men only having to visit the clinic for a positive urine result. This is in contrast to the current situation where men are recalled to the clinic every six to 12 months for painful and expensive biopsies.

The Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital receives more than 800 referrals a year to investigate and treat potential prostate cancers. Prostate cancer usually develops slowly and the majority of cancers will not require treatment in a man’s lifetime.

The research team says that their findings could also help pioneer the development of home-collection tests for bladder or kidney cancer.

It is important that if you feel you have any signs of prostate cancer, please schedule. Pick up the phone and call Z Urology, with offices in South Florida.

We provide state-of-the-art urologic care in the South Florida area with a focus on both male and female urology. Our practice specializes in all urologic procedures, specifically, minimally invasive methods. Our three locations to choose from are located in Fort Lauderdale, Coral Springs and Pompano Beach.

We at “Z” specialize in bladder issues, erectile dysfunction (ED), prostate issues, urinary incontinence, sexual dysfunction, stone disease, BPH, male infertility, pyeloplasty, Peyronie’s disease, and ureteral reimplantation.