About Prostate Cancer
The prostate gland, located just below the bladder and surrounding a part of the urethra, is in a young man about the size of a walnut, but grows larger with age as does the risk for prostate cancer. The prostate’s main function is to make seminal fluid, which protects and nourishes sperm cells in semen.
Most early cases of prostate cancer are without symptoms, but some early signs of prostate enlargement and prostate cancer can be hematuria, urination problems, e.g. frequent urination, difficulty starting urination, inability to urinate and weak or painful urination. Most prostate cancers grow slowly, but when the cancer penetrates the prostatic membrane encapsulating the gland, prostate cancer can spread very quickly. Although the causes of prostate cancer are unknown, research has identified several risk factors associated with increased risk for prostate cancer.
In light of the high frequency of prostate cancer and the high success rate of early treatment several professional organizations have issued statements regarding risk assessment and screening for prostate cancer for the purpose of early detection and treatment.
The American Urological Association (AUA) recommends that men 40 years of age or older should be offered a risk assessment and early detection for prostate cancer and men who wish to be screened should have both a PSA test and a DRE. Some men choose to follow the AUA suggestions to take a PSA test at 40, to establish a baseline level for future comparison.
(http://www.auanet.org/content/guidelines-and-quality-care/policy-statements/e/early-detection-of-prostate-cancer.cfm
http://www.auanet.org/content/guidelines-and-quality-care/clinical-guidelines/main-reports/psa09.pdf ).
The American Cancer Society recommends that screening should be offered to all men 50 years and older, and as early as age 40 for men with more than 1 risk factor. Screening should include, for those who elect to undergo screening, a yearly digital rectal exam and a prostate specific antigen (PSA) blood-test at the minimum. (http://www.cancer.org/docroot/CRI/content/CRI_2_4_3X_Can_prostate_cancer_be_found_early_36.asp?sitearea=)
The discovery of genes conferring risk for prostate cancer provides a method for early detection and diagnosis. Genetic testing, like the deCODEme ProstateCancer™ test, is capable of identifying those who have added genetic risk for developing prostate cancer, in additional independent of the genetic risk they may have because of their close relatives(s) having had prostate cancer, ovarian cancer or breast cancer. Additionally the deCODEme ProstateCancer™ test can predict aggressiveness of the prostate cancer if it develops, i.e. the likely hood that the tumor has grown out side of the prostate membrane and/or spread to lymph nodes or other organs.
If you have additional questions regarding the deCODE study or the deCODE ProstateCancer™ test, please contact deCODE at diagnostics@decode.com, or by phone at 1-877-222-6510 and a deCODE representative will respond promptly to your questions.