Early warning signs for prostate cancer discovered

By Stephen Adams

Scientists have discovered potential early warning signs for prostate cancer that could be used to spot the disease before symptoms emerge.

Researchers at Bristol University identified two proteins that are present in higher levels in men with prostate cancer, which kills 10,000 a year in Britain.

The proteins are called 'growth factors' that regulate normal growth and development in organs and tissue, especially in the womb and during childhood.

Dr Mari-Anne Rowlands, a cancer epidemiologist and the lead author of the study, said: "It’s too early to be certain but these results suggest that we may have identified potential new biomarkers for very early prostate cancer in men with no symptoms.

"Now we need more research to determine whether levels of these potential biomarkers predict which prostate cancers detected by screening might progress to become life-threatening."

She and her colleagues compared a range of biomarkers, in 2,686 men with prostate cancer and 2,766 men without the condition.

Currently doctors rely on measuring Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA), which rises in response to the presence of cancerous tissue.

However, the test does not flag up the cancer very early and is also not very accurate. It often falsely indicates a problem where none exists.

Last month British researchers revealed they were working on a urine test for prostate cancer, which would identify men with a higher genetic risk of developing the disease.

Professor Malcolm Mason, of Cancer Research UK, said of the Bristol University research: "This study could be a very important step forward in identifying men who should be screened."

The results are being presented at the National Cancer Research Institute conference in Liverpool on Monday.

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