It took a while, but researchers are honing in on a gene that could help distinguish deadly prostate cancer from the vastly more common non-aggressive prostate cancer; knowledge that could spare tens of thousand of men unnecessary treatment that is likely to leave them enjoying life less than they had hoped to. Reuters reports that scientists at Wake Forest University School of Medicine studied 4,849 men with
aggressive prostate cancer that had spread and 12,205 men with
slow-growing disease, looking at 27,000 different genetic mutations
called single nucleotide polymorphisms or SNPs. They found one that was 26 percent more common in the men with
aggressive disease. It was found in 32 percent of 4,829 men with
aggressive disease and 28 percent of 12,205 men who had slow-growing
cancers.
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Interesting numbers but I don’t understand how the gene is 26% more prevelant in men with the aggressive disease (32%) than in men with the slow growing form (28%). I am not a statistician, but 28% from 32% is 4% and dividing 4 by 28 I get 14, so I would say in my naive way that the gene is 14% more common. Either way, I am not impressed with the predictive value of the gene involved if it occurs 28% of the time in men with slow growing cancer and 32% of the time in men with fast growing cancer. Still hard to tell into which group one would fall.
the other item in one of the Reuters article comments is that although most of the cases are slow growing and cause no problem, it is still the 2nd leading cause of death from cancer for men in the US. So, while most cases are slow growing, the total number of cases must really by high for it to be such a killer. Now that is a scary thing.
Peter
Read more. I have it, have had it for 15 years according to my DR. PSA just became elevated at 65. According to the lit I have read, it is just a matter of time for all men if they live long enough. Have your prostate checked along with your PSA. Watch the numbers carefully, become aware of the other warning signs. PSA over 4 at 65 is considered a warning. But, men under 65 with PSA of .5 have been diagnosed with late stage 4, a death sentence. Read, read and act, diagnosis is not exact science yet.
I recently had a Prostate Ultrasound and Biopsy, (results negative). The Ultrasound/Biopsy was ordered due to my PSA levels of 5.0 (I’m 56).
Then again, what is the “cap” or maximum number for PSA levels. (eg) If I am a 5 and the maximum number is…lets say 10, then I am at mid range. If the maximum number is 100,… then at 5 I am at the lower end. Does age, height, weight, (physical conditioning)and stress levels play into the PSA levels? I do not know for sure, but I can and will find out.
Agreed, this is a male medical issue that needs constant attention. However, according to my study and research, No man has ever died directly from prostate cancer. Only when the cancer spreads to other organs/areas of the body, does the risk increase.
Speaking for myself, I plan to monitor and peridocally have my prostate checked from a qualified Urologist. As it stands now, I am scheduled for another visit with my Urologist in 6 months.
William