High-Risk Prostate Cancer in Men Can be Detected Using a Saliva Test

About one in eleven men develop prostate cancer at a point in their lifetime. Prostate cancer is most common in men, with each year reporting many cases of diagnosis across the world. A DNA test for prostate cancer can identify men who are six times likely to develop the disease. The simple saliva test can detect high-risk prostate cancer in men, which will allow them to get interventions to reduce the risk or prevent the disease.

A study identified 63 new genetic variants in the DNA code that might have heightened the chances of developing prostate cancer. It was discovered that 1% of men have a risk of six times more than the average.

• Results were integrated with over 100 genetic variants associated with prostate cancer to create a genetic risk score outcome. The scientists finally developed a test using saliva to reveal the genetic variants that had proved hard to find.
• This can help researchers to come up with better prostate cancer screening rules. The general screening method for prostate cancer in the US is the Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) blood test. High-level PSA patients are encouraged to go for screening annually and the rest after every two years.
• The saliva test can reveal high-risk people who require annual screening without regard to their PSA level.
• Saliva samples will undergo DNA test to assess whether preventive treatment will be able to reduce prostate cancer in men with highest inherited risks. Scientists can try to prevent prostate cancer since the variants can now account for 30% of men’s inherited risk of the disease.

The new research elaborates on why some men develop prostate cancer while others don't. Scientists are planning to validate the saliva test in the real world. Another study in primary care will be initiated to establish if genetic testing using spit test can single out high-risk men who will benefit from interventions to detect the disease early and reduce their risk. They also plan to test the study on men of other ethnic groups like African American men who are vulnerable to contracting prostate cancer.

About Author

Dr. Echt and his team at the Prostate Seed Institute offer the most highly sophisticated methods of radiation therapy available in the United States, equal to that found in major medical center and academic settings. These include prostate seed implantation, high dose radiation implants, and external beam radiation with image-guided and intensity-modulated (IGRT and IMRT) capabilities.

Dr. Echt and his team at the Prostate Seed Institute offer the most highly sophisticated methods of radiation therapy available in the United States, equal to that found in major medical center and academic settings. These include prostate seed impla