4 Lau — More Accurate Detection Of Prostate Cancer (NAPSA)—According to a new Harris Interactive survey of 1,000 men, more than half men want to know that they are receiving the most accurate infor- mation available when it comes expressed concern over the accu- racy of current prostate cancer tests. Today, the two most common methods for detecting prostate cancer are the digital rectal exam (DRE) and prostate-specific anti- gen (PSA) blood test. These screening tools are most effective whenused in combination. Abnormal PSA tests cannot be used to provide an absolute diagnosis of prostate cancer because the PSA test measures the level of a protein that is not specific to prostate cancer. For example, > When being tested for prostate cancer, men may soonbeable to get more accurate results. cancer deaths each year,” said Dr. Paul Lange, chairman of the Department of Urology at the University of Washington and author of Prostate Cancer for to prostate cancer detection,” added Dr. Lange. “A new urine test is being developed that may be able to detect prostate cancer with improved accuracy.” Gen-Probe, a San Diego-based diagnostics company, is currently developing this urine test, which looks for genetic changes specific to prostate cancer. By looking at these changes, doctors may have a more specific method to detect prostate cancer. This new test, used in combination with DRE and PSA, may greatly improve early detection and diagnosis of abnormal PSA tests are often found with a common noncancerous condition known as benign Dummies. “However, because follow-up tests must be performed cancerous conditions such as an inflamed prostate, which is treatable with antibiotics. After an abnormal PSA test patient anxiety.” Once prostate cancer is detected and diagnosed, men face prostate cancer or if he is African American, it is recom- see” approach and treatment, about the effect of prostate cancer that early detection of prostate cancer will increase the chance for survival. For more information about prostate cancer risk factors, diag- “A diagnosis of cancer can turn a patient’s life upside down and cerfoundation.org. prostatic hyperplasia and may also be caused by other non- result, a doctor may order a follow-up test, such as a prostate biopsy, or recommenda “wait and see” approach, which repeats the DRE and PSAtests regularly to watch for changes. “The DRE and PSA screening tools have been important in reducing the numberof prostate prostate cancer. The American Cancer Society recommends that men be tested after an abnormal DRE or PSA test, there remains a degree of uncertainty, which can lead to every year for prostate cancer beginning at age 50. However,if a choice between the “wait and begin at age 40. It is believed which can affect quality of life. In fact, the survey found that 80 percent of men would be concerned treatment on their sex lives. a patient has a family history of mended that annual testing nosis and treatment options, visit the Web site www.prostatecan
