Baseline PSA Reading A Reliable Prostate Cancer Predictor For Up To 30 Years

Main Category: Prostate / Prostate Cancer
Also Included In: Urology / Nephrology;  Conferences
Article Date: 17 May 2008 - 0:00 PDT

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Premalignant phases of prostate cancer occur over long periods of time and a single prostate-specific antigen (PSA) reading taken at age 44-50 can help predict prostate cancer diagnosis up to 30 years subsequently, according to updated data from researchers in New York and Malmo, Sweden. The findings expand the previously established baseline age-to-diagnosis interval.

Researchers will be on hand to present their findings to the media during a special press conference on May 18, 2008 at 2:30 p.m.

Using data from a cohort of men under 50 who submitted blood samples for a cardiovascular study during 1974-1986, researchers examined records and found a greater delay in diagnosis for men who were younger at the time of the blood draw and baseline reading. Men in the original cohort had a mean age of 47 at the time of the blood draw. In this update, the mean age was 45.

The relationship between PSA and advanced cancer was stronger in this update than the original report. Findings suggest possible prolonged periods of prostate cancer pre-malignancy and that extracellular PSA affects cancer development, or carcinogenesis. The study also reaffirms the relationship between the carcinogenic process and PSA.

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Article adapted by Medical News Today from original press release.
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Lilja H, Cronin AM, Scardino PT, Dahlin A, Bjartel A, Berglund G et al: A single PSA predicts prostate cancer up to 30 years subsequently, even in men below age 40. J Urol, suppl., 2008; 179: 206, abstract 589.

About the American Urological Association: Founded in 1902 and headquartered near Baltimore, Maryland, the American Urological Association is the pre-eminent professional organization for urologists, with more than 15,000 members throughout the world. An educational nonprofit organization, the AUA pursues its mission of fostering the highest standards of urologic care by carrying out a wide variety of programs members and their patients, including UrologyHealth.org, an award-winning on-line patient education resource, and the American Urological Association Foundation, Inc.

Source: Lacey Holt
American Urological Association