Good News for Men: Your Doctor will Not feel your Prostate Unless he is also Your Husband
Researches in England have developed a new diagnostic test that can detecturology-related cancers by 'smelling' the diseases in urine samples.
The test looks for evidence that the chemical composition of bodily waste has been affected by cancerous prostate cells, thus offering a means to catch the disease early.
Academics claim that the new procedure, inspired by dogs' ability to sniff out melanomas, could eliminate the need for painful probes and the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test, both of which are invasive and seen as a factor behind men not visiting the doctor with prostate problems.
Dr. Chris Probert, a professor at the University of Liverpool’s Institute of Translational Medicine, and Professor Raj Persad, a Consultant Urologist at Southmead Hospital, led the study - for which their team studied a group of volunteers.
The experimental trial, conducted in collaboration with the University of the West of England’s Urological Institute and Bristol Royal Infirmary and published in the Journal of Breath Research, involved 155 men from various British urology clinics. 58 of the men suffered from prostate cancer, 24 had bladder cancer, and the remaining 73 had urological problems but no cancer.
After acquiring urine samples, the researchers developed algorithms to analyse the patterns of volatile compounds in the urine. Using a gas chromatography sensor system called an Odoreader, they were able to detect which of these compounds may indicate cancer.
Professor Raj Persad believes that the result of the study could lead to more men catching the disease in its early stages.
"If this test succeeds in a full medical trial it will revolutionise diagnostics," says Prof Persad. "Even with detailed biopsies there is a risk we may fail to detect prostate cancer in some cases.
"Currently indicators such as an enlarged prostate and unusually high PSA levels can lead to recommendations for biopsy if there is a concern cancer may be prevalent. But an accurate urine test would mean many men who currently undergo prostate biopsy may not need to do so."
Over 10,000 UK men die from prostate cancer each year, with almost 45,000 new cases of the disease reported annually. It is the second most common cancer-related cause of death in men after lung cancer.
Dr Chris Probert believes that some men feel uncomfortable with existing prostate tests, and therefore forego them - leaving potential cancers undiagnosed. He hopes that the new test may change this.
"There is an urgent need to identify these cancers at an earlier stage when they are more treatable," says Probert, "as the earlier a person is diagnosed the better.
"After further sample testing, the next step is to take this technology and put it into a user friendly format. With help from industry partners we will be able to further develop the Odoreader, which will enable it to be used where it is needed most; at a patient's bedside, in a doctor's surgery, in a clinic or Walk In Centre, providing fast, inexpensive, accurate results."
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