Prostate cancer is responsible for around 3300 deaths each year in Australia alone, but new research is signalling significant advance in diagnosis and prediction of the disease.
Professor Doug Brooks from the University of South Australia has used his knowledge of the transport systems inside cells to deliver hope to Australian males.
As highlighted by the continued growth year on year of the Movember Foundation, where men grow moustaches to raise funds and highlight awareness of prostate cancer, the disease is a concern for many men. Around 20,000 new cases are diagnosed each year and the level of care and treatment men receive varies greatly.
It’s also worth noting that prostate cancer is one of the most treatable forms of cancer, if diagnosed early enough. There are also two types of prostate cancer, one type involves a tumour which doesn’t grow very rapidly, whereas the other has a very aggressive tumour, which needs a more aggressive form of treatment.
During his research, Professor Brooks has determined that prostate cancer alters 19 genes that are involved in the transport of cell materials. The next step for Professor Brooks and his team at UniSA is to retrospectively examine samples from a controlled group of patients, with a clinical trial to follow. From this, it is hoped a better form of diagnosis than the maligned PSA test could be developed.
You can find out more at University of South Australia.
