Monday, December 20, 2010

New Discovery to Accurately Predict Life Expectancy in Patients Suffering from Prostate Cancer

Scientists have discovered a single blood test which if conducted at the age of 60 can accurately predict if the man may develop and die from prostate cancer within the next 25 years.

According to a study published in the British Medical Journal, researchers at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, in New York, and Lund University, in Sweden have discovered an accurate way for screening men for prostate cancer after the age of 60.

The study analyzed blood samples from over 1000 men over the age of 60 years. It was discovered that the PSA level was a highly accurate predictor of long-term cancer risk. PSA testing is the long recommended method for the early detection of prostate cancer. This new insight however indicates that a baseline PSA could be sufficient to determine which patients should continue to be screened for prostate cancer.

"We were hoping to find a novel marker," said lead researchers Andrew Vickers, PhD and Hans Lilja, MD PhD. "What we found instead was a new way of using an old test."

According to the study, 90 percent of deaths in patients suffering from prostate cancer occurred in men which had top 25 percent of PSA levels at age 60. The study further concluded that men with a PSA level above 2 ng/ml at age 60 should be considered at high risk and should be screened regularly.

Men with a PSA level below 1 ng / ml had a 0.2 percent chance of death from prostate cancer. Cancer is a life threatening disease and careful screening and periodic health checkups are advised to people who may be at risk for developing cancer. A healthy diet and lifestyle can aid greatly in reducing chances of developing cancer. A supplement like Profect from Protica Research increases your chances of getting all the essential nutrients to follow a healthy diet.

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