New breakthrough in prostate cancer

Men may soon able to take a test that will tell them whether they are at a high risk of developing prostate cancer.

Boffins at Cancer Research UK believe such a test is possible within just four years following an incredible breakthrough in the genetic causes of the most common and aggressive cancer among men.

Up until now scientists have scratched their heads over the possible reasons why certain men develop the disease.

But a new study carried out in Great Britain and Australia identified seven genetic mutations that are directly linked to the cancer. Indeed, they believe half of the men who develop the disease would have some these chromosomes in their DNA.

So what does it mean? Well, not only would men be warned in advance whether they are particularly susceptible to the disease, but they would also benefit from a host new drugs designed to tackle it. A cure is also a possibility.

Lead researcher Dr Ros Eeles said: “These exciting results will help us to more accurately calculate the risk of developing prostate cancer and may lead to the development of better targeted screening and treatment.”

The study identified these genetic variations after comparing the DNA of 2,000 men who had been diagnosed with the cancer before the age of 61 or had it in their family history, with an equal number of men who had no connection with the disease at all.

Cancer Research UK chief executive Harpal Kumar said: “These results are a breakthrough in our efforts to understand men’s susceptibility to prostate cancer.

“We hope these findings will help us illuminate some of the main difficulties faced by doctors and researchers in diagnosing and treating prostate cancer, so in combination with other advances, we can eventually beat it.”