Prostate Cancer Testing – It’s No Joke..

Prostate cancer, the most common form of cancer in men, can be a difficult topic and one many men would rather avoid, this article aims to clear up some of the myths about prostate cancer and help you to better understand the role of prostate cancer testing.

The prostate is a small, walnut-sized gland located below the bladder.   Its primary role is to produce the white fluid that, when mixed with sperm, creates semen².

The prostate itself is divided into zones or anatomic regions. Prostate cancer most commonly forms in the peripheral region, the one at the back or closest to the rectum. In these cases, the doctor may request a digital rectal exam (DRE)³. This is an examination that involves the doctor inserting a gloved finger into the rectum to examine the prostate first-hand. This examination can’t be used alone as a definitive diagnosis; therefore, it will normally be accompanied by a PSA test³.

What is Prostate Cancer?

Prostate cancer is the most common form of cancer in men. In the UK, 1 out of 8 men will receive a prostate cancer diagnosis within their lifetime. It is estimated that 12,000 men die every year from prostate cancer… that’s 1 death every 45 minutes⁵.

Cancer typically arises when cells start multiplying rapidly, leading to the formation of a tumour. This abnormal growth often occurs due to the absence of a ‘stop’ signal that typically restrains cell proliferation when necessary⁶. Once established, certain cancers utilise androgens (sex hormones influencing male development) as a source of sustenance, fuelling further expansion. Some types of prostate cancer progress slowly and are often identified before spreading beyond the prostate. Yet, this delayed growth pattern poses a challenge as prostate cancer commonly exhibits no distinct symptoms, complicating its detection and potentially allowing it to metastasise (spread) beyond the prostate⁶.

Risk Factors

Prostate cancer is mostly diagnosed in men over 50 years old. Unlike some other cancers, it is not strongly associated with a wide range of modifiable risk factors, but there are a few factors that are known to increase risk:

Prostate Cancer Testing – PSA

Normal PSA levels vary in the population and increase with age, however, men aged between 50-69 are expected to have a PSA level of <3 nanograms per ml⁸.  PSA levels can be elevated due to several mechanisms:

1. When prostate cancer eliminates certain cells, it can disrupt the structure of the prostate, allowing more PSA to enter the bloodstream.
2. The increased number of cells caused by prostate cancer tumours express PSA in addition to that produced by healthy prostate cells, driving the increase in PSA concentration.

Prostate cancer testing using standard PSA can be tough as elevations are not specific to prostate cancer. High PSA levels might mean an enlarged prostate, prostatitis, or a urinary infection. Furthermore, research shows that 3 out of 4 men with high PSA won’t have prostate cancer⁸. However, PSA testing is a useful indicator and is used throughout the world to estimate risk and support diagnosis.

Myths about Prostate Cancer

In the age of misinformation, deciphering fact from fiction can be a hard nut to crack. Here, we will take a quick look at some of the myths swimming around in relation to prostate cancer.

Genetic Testing at Randox Health

At Randox Health we believe in a proactive approach to your health. There are 3 main contributing factors to risk of prostate cancer: age, family history and ethnicity. This is why we have developed our Prostate Cancer Risk test. This test investigates the genome at 12 distinct sites, to identify potentially harmful variants in the genetic code. Having one of these genetic variants does not mean that a person will develop prostate cancer but does suggest that they are at increased risk. You can read about some of these genetic variants below:

There’s a lot to consider before deciding to go ahead with genetic screening.

Genetic counselling is crucial for informed decision-making on genetic testing. These experts meticulously review the individual’s and their family’s medical history, pinpointing possible genetic concerns. This holistic approach determines the appropriateness of genetic testing.

After opting for genetic testing, counsellors provide invaluable assistance in interpreting the results. They elucidate the implications for the individual’s health and their family members and discuss strategies for managing any emerging issues. This could involve recommending closer monitoring or preventive measures.

With all genetic screening at Randox Health, you can book an appointment with a genetic counsellor who will help empower you with the knowledge to navigate genetic risks and make informed choices for your well-being. If you or someone you know would like to find out about risk of prostate cancer, information on how to book an appointment is available here: https://randoxhealth.com/en-GB/in-clinic/prostate-cancer-risk and don’t forget to book a consultation with one of our Genetic Counsellors.

Prostate Cancer Testing at Randox Health

At Randox Health, we also offer advanced Prostate Health testing for those who wish to investigate their risk of prostate disease. As we’ve mentioned, PSA isn’t specific to prostate cancer; it may indicate prostatitis, an enlarged prostate, or a urinary tract infection. This is why, in addition to PSA, our advanced PSA test includes analysis of a novel combination of biomarkers to generate a prostate cancer risk score, which can significantly improve the predictive potential of PSA alone in identifying individuals at risk of prostate cancer.