It's in your genes
Researchers in Bristol are investigating a revolutionary new approach to the diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer.
It follows the discovery by American scientists of the PCA3 gene, which is produced by cancerous cells. The presence of the PCA3 gene is an almost certain sign that a significant tumour is present in the prostate and needs urgent treatment.
Teams of researchers at the Bristol Urological Institute at Southmead Hospital are now examining the findings to see if it will help save some of the 14,000 men in the UK who die every year from prostate cancer.
At present, all men over 50, or over 40 if there is a strong family history of cancer, are recommended to have a standard PSA blood test every year, but sometimes these can give false results – but it is still an essential diagnostic tool.
Some 30,000 men get prostate cancer every year in Britain and far too many lose their lives because of late diagnosis, or because they were wrongly treated with watchful waiting.
One of those is Richard Hope-Hawkins, from Bristol, who is about to start radio-therapy treatment for prostate cancer. He originally had a physical examination, without a blood test, which failed to discover the disease. A subsequent later blood test revealed a high PSA figure and it was too late to operate.
The new PCA3 gene score gives a remarkably accurate guide to the presence of cancer. It doesn’t replace the PSA, but will be of particular value if patients have had negative biopsies.
Prostate Cancer is now the most common major cancer in males in the UK and the death rate will only fall if early detection of aggressive tumours is improved.
One of the UK’s leading urological experts is David Gillatt, who is based at the BUI. “One of the problems we have is that the PSA blood test can give false readings, so anything that helps us more clearly identify prostate cancer has got to be good,” he said.
“Although it’s still early days PCA3 appears to be a major step forward. In the meantime, if men are worried they should discuss their concerns with their GPs.”
To raise awareness of prostate cancer and funds for research, Bristol Rotarians are staging Run for the Future on the Downs in Bristol on Sunday, 16 September. It’s an event for the whole family and you can register your support at www.runforthefuture.org or by ringing the Run for the future office on 0117 9596328 for a Registration form
