By Franklin Delgado
A recent study, published in The Journal of Urologyhas revealed that the MyProstateScore 2.0 – Appealing Surveillance (MPS2-AS) test outperforms traditional methods in evaluating men with low-risk prostate cancer.
The results suggest that this test could have prevented up to 64% of invasive biopsies, allowing the timely detection of higher grade tumors that need immediate treatment.
The test demonstrated a 97% prediction rate for detecting high-grade cancer in patients initially diagnosed with Grade 1 cancer.
Benefits of a non-invasive approach
This advancement provides doctors with a more accurate and less invasive option to determine which patients need biopsies, improving the quality of life for thousands.
The team led by Dr. Jeffrey Tosoian plans to explore further applications of MPS2-AS in detecting cancer recurrences, transforming patient care in urology.
Patients with a family history of prostate cancer
Patients with a family history of prostate cancer should be aware that this history increases their risk and that the decision to be screened should be individualized with their doctor.
The most important thing
- Family history counts when deciding whether to get screened, along with age and other risk factors.
- If there is a father, brother, or several close relatives with prostate cancer, especially if it was diagnosed before age 60 or there were deaths from this cause, it is usually recommended to start surveillance earlier than in the general population.
- In some cases, genetic counseling may also be useful to evaluate whether there is an inherited mutation associated with risk, especially when there is aggressive prostate cancer or a history of other cancers in the family.
When to think about starting earlier
- Some sources recommend starting the test from age 40 if there is a family inheritance, while others suggest starting 10 years before the age of the earliest diagnosis in the family.
- For men at higher risk due to certain history or mutations, follow-up may be closer and earlier.
- The exact age to start should not be decided by family alone; It should be reviewed with a health professional who assesses the benefits and possible harms of screening.
What proof is
- Screening usually includes a PSA blood test, and is sometimes combined with clinical evaluation on a case-by-case basis.
- An elevated PSA does not automatically mean cancer, but it may require additional studies.
- The usefulness of the test depends on the person’s risk, so not all patients should follow the same schedule.
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