Posts Tagged ‘PSA’
Friday, July 22nd, 2011
Researchers reported in the journal Analytical Chemistry that the PSA may be used as a new test for detecting breast cancer. The prostate-specific antigen measured in the PSA test is a potential biomarker of breast cancer in women but levels in healthy women is so small that most tests will not measure them.
Thus, the researchers built a tiny fiber-optic biosensor using gold nanoparticles and PSA antibodies to detect and report PSA levels via a florescent signal. The sensitivity and specificity of the test for breast cancer are comparable to those found when using it as a biomarker for prastate cancer. It is also believed that the sensitivity and specificity compare favorably to the current screening methods for breast cancer (clinical exam and mammogram).
Tags: breast cancer, prostate cancer, PSA, screening
Posted in breast cancer, Cancer, prostate cancer, research | No Comments »
Wednesday, April 13th, 2011
A study to be published in the May issue of the Journal of Urology concluded that a new PSA test for screening prostate cancer is more accurate and specific and substantially reduces false positives compared to the currently used PSA tests based upon a large multi-center clinical trial. The new test could lead to fewer false positives, unnecessary biopsies, and the over treatment of slow developing cancer that would never have caused suffering and death. The test will “focus on the detection of more life-threatening prostate cancers and reduce unnecessary biopsies in men 50 years of age and older.”
The study followed 900 patients from 10 sites and found the new PSA test (Pro-PSA) was especially useful for patients with a normal prostate examination whose PSA was 2 to 10 that is considered a gray zone for prostate cancer because most men with higher levels have prostate cancer and those with lower levels do not.
The Pro-PSA teast has been approved for use in Europe and is being reviewed by the FDA.More information is available at:
http://esciencenews.com/articles/2011/04/06/new.prostate.cancer.test.gives.more.accurate.diagnosis
Tags: Pro-PSA, prostate cancer, PSA, research, screening
Posted in Cancer, prostate cancer, research | No Comments »
Friday, March 4th, 2011
A study reported in the February 24 issue of the Journal of the National Cancer Institute concluded that blood tests indicating the PSA (prostate-specific antigen) levels are rising rapidly over time are not useful in detecting aggressive prostate cancer and may lead to unnecessary biopsies.
In the study the researchers used data from over 5,500 men in their 60′s and 70′s taking part in a drug trial for prostate cancer prevention.
Those selected for this study did not receive a drug in the initial study and all agreed to have a biopsy at the end of the trial. Although researchers did find a statistical association between PSA velocity (change in PSA levels over time) and the chances of a follow-up biopsy being positive for cancer, when they factored in other things that influence the risk such as family history of the disease, older age, being black, and PSA levels and digital rectal exam there was virtually no association between PSA velosity and biopsy outcome and concluded “PSA velosity measurement is not useful.” They also said ” This study should change practice. We have previously published papers determining that PSA naturally varies from month to month and have urged men whose PSA suddenly rises to wait six months and repeat the test before agreeing to a needle biopsy. This new study in a large population of men provides even stronger evidence that using changes in PSA as a basis for recommendation for biopsy leads to many more unnecessary biopsies and does not help to find the more aggressive cancers that we want to find and treat.”
For information-This issue was previously discussed by Tanya Harter Pierce on the Holistic Health Show and more information on the PSA can be found in her book Outsmart Your Cancer: Alternative Non-Toxic Treatments That Work. 2009 edition.
More information at:
http://www.businessweek.com/lifestyle/content/healthday/650257.html
Tags: prostate cancer, PSA, research
Posted in Cancer, prostate cancer, research, Uncategorized | No Comments »
Friday, September 24th, 2010
A new study published in the British Medical Journal online concluded that a blood test at age 60 could accurately predict the risk of death from prostate cancer within the next 25 years.
In the study researchers analyzed the blood samples of 1,167 men born in 1921. Blood samples were collected in 1981 and 1982 and all subjects were followed until age 85 or death. Following a review of biomarkers the researchers found that the PSA was a highly accurate predictor of long term risk of prostate cancer death.
One hundred twenty six men were diagnosed with prostate cancer and in that group 90% of the deaths occurred in those who were in the top 25% of the PSA levels at age 60. The researchers concluded that those with a PSA above 2ng/ml at age 60 should be considered at high risk of aggressive prostate cancer and should continued to be followed. Those with a PSA under 1ng/ml at age 60 had a 0.2 percent chance of prostate cancer death and should be considered at low risk of prostate cancer death and even when prostate cancer is present it is not likely to cause symptoms or shorten their life up to age 85.
Tags: death, prostate cancer, PSA, research
Posted in prostate cancer, research | No Comments »
Sunday, August 23rd, 2009
My guest on the Holistic Health show on Saturday, August 29 is Tanya Harter Pierce who has a masters degree in clinical psychology and is currently on leave from her counseling practice as a Marriage, Family, and Child Counselor. Tanya never thought she would write a book about cancer but when a family member was diagnosed with cancer that was considered “incurable” by conventional medicine she suddenly began searching alternative options. Over the years she had cured other chronic conditions with alternative holistic treatments so she had an open mind about these interventions. From her studies she was stunned to find so many successful approaches to treating cancer non-toxically that often had better success rates than current conventional treatments. Because this information was not easily available or understandable she wrote Outsmart Your Cancer: Alternative Non-Toxic Treatments that Work . The second edition of this book has just been published and Tanya will focus on two areas of the book in the interview: Protocel, and the PSA and Hormone Blocking Drugs as they relate to Prostate Cancer.
Tags: clinical psychologist, Dr Carl O Helvie, family counselor, Hormone Blocking Drugs, non-toxic cancer treatment, prostate cancer, protocel, PSA, Tanya Harter Pierce
Posted in alternative health, body-mind-spirit, Cancer, holistic health, prostate cancer, spiritual health | 1 Comment »
Friday, June 26th, 2009
Research reported in Cancer Prevention Research online June 19, 2009 stated that consuming a green tea catechin supplement resulted in a reduction in prostate specific antigen (PSA) and other markers that indicate disease progression in men with prostate cancer. A team of researchers at Louisiana State University’s Feist-Weiller Cancer Center reported that 4 capsules of a green tea supplement daily (equivalent to 12 cups of green tea) was given to 26 prostate cancer patients for 12 to 73 days prior to scheduled surgery. Blood samples were collected prior to and the day of surgery showed a reduction in the PSA markers of as much as a 25% decrease. In addition, insulin like-1 that has been associated with a poor prostate cancer prognosis and a liver function tests declined following treatment with green tea suggesting low toxicity from the treatment.
Further research is ongoing with green tea and breast cancer patients and tentative conclusions are that many cancers are preventable and these studies support the idea that plant compounds found in a healthy diet can play a role in the development and progression of cancer.
Tags: green tea, prevention, prostate cancer, PSA, slows prostate cancer
Posted in herbs, prostate cancer | No Comments »
