Scientists at a division of the University of Michigan in the United States, have developed a urine test, which tests for 18 different genes that are typically associated with aggressive/high grade prostate tumors.
Currently, after checking for a man's PSA level, if elevated, the man is sent for further testing which could involve imaging, and a biopsy. The developers of this test have shared over various media reports, that they hope this urine test will save some men from having to have a biopsy to determine if their cancer is an aggressive or slow growing variant of prostate cancer. Dr. Arul M. Chinnaiyan, MD, PhD, director of Michigan Center for Translational Pathology, has expressed the need for such a non-invasive test to be available.
Presently, the test is sold by Lynx Dx, which is affiliated with the University of Michigan. At the time of writing, the out of pocket cost for this test is not known. For this new test to be beneficial to African men residing in Africa, the cost would have to be more affordable than doing a biopsy.
The developers of the test have shared that they hope in time, more genes may be added to the profile, so as to help a diverse population of men.
Although this test may not be available at this moment for African residing men, it is certainly a positive development, that will be followed, as with time, it may become more widely available.
In the interim, please continue to check your PSA level regularly, if you are a man of African origin, over the age of 45 years. The Thomas John Prostate Foundation in Nigeria, offers Free Prostate Cancer Screening Tests to all men living in Nigeria.
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