A “breakthrough” test that uses dried blood samples could detect prostate cancer in men in just 15 minutes, scientists hope.
Researchers at Aston University in Birmingham have developed a new, non-invasive method that analyses crystal-like structures in dehydrated blood which it is claimed can detect prostate cancer before symptoms appear with up to 90 percent accuracy.
1 in 8 Men Predicted to Get Prostate Cancer
There is currently no national screening programme for prostate cancer, which accounts for almost 10 percent of cancer deaths in men and is one of the leading causes of death in older men.Currently, it is predicted that one in eight men in the UK will get prostate cancer in their lifetime, with the disease disproportionately affecting black men. The illness often does not have symptoms until it has already spread to other parts of the body.
It is hoped the new test will be more accurate than the existing standard blood test for prostate cancer, which measures levels of a protein called prostate-specific antigen (PSA).
Often, more uncomfortable and invasive measures, such as a rectal examination or a tissue biopsy are needed following the existing test to diagnose the disease.
For the study, published in the journal Scientific Reports, the team analysed 108 dry blood smear samples from healthy volunteers as well as those who had prostate cancer.
The researchers examined the protein structures in the blood samples using a technique known as new polarisation-based image reconstruction, conducting a detailed layer-by-layer analysis of the dried smears.
Meglinski said the entire process, including drying time, can be done in 15 minutes or less.
He said the findings had a 90 percent accuracy rate of early prostate cancer diagnosis, much higher than existing screening methods, which holds “immense potential for revolutionising cancer diagnosis.”
Meglinski said that early detection of prostate cancer is vital, as the life expectancy of 90 percent of patients diagnosed at stage one or two is 15 years or more.
Less Invasive and Risky
The technique relies on blood samples instead of more invasive biopsies, so it is less traumatic and risky for patients, Meglinski added.Results are preliminary and larger clinical trials are needed to confirm the technique’s potential.
Dr. Matthew Hobbs, director of research at Prostate Cancer UK, which was not involved in the study, said: “Over 10,000 men each year are diagnosed when their cancer has already spread and become incurable, which is why it’s so important that we find new and better tests for prostate cancer.
“The big issue is proving that these tests are better than what we have already.
No National Screening Project
A £42 million project, known as Transform, is currently underway comparing various screening methods to the current NHS diagnostic processes for prostate cancer.Prostate cancer is the most common form of the disease without a national screening programme, killing an estimated 12,000 men in the UK each year.
Prostate Cancer UK, which is funding the project, believes that a more effective detection method has the potential to reduce deaths by 40 percent.
Under current guidelines, doctors are told not to raise the subject of testing for the disease unless men have symptoms. Those aged over 50 without symptoms can request a test on the NHS, but the onus is on them to book the appointment.
