Discovery of bacteria linked to prostate cancer hailed as potential breakthrough

[Northerner]

Scientists have discovered bacteria linked to aggressive prostate cancer in work hailed as a potential revolution for the prevention and treatment of the most deadly form of the disease.

Researchers led by the University of East Anglia performed sophisticated genetic analyses on the urine and prostate tissue of more than 600 men with and without prostate cancer and found five species of bacteria linked to rapid progression of the disease.

The study does not prove that the bacteria drive or exacerbate prostate cancer, but if work now under way confirms their role, researchers can develop tests to identify men most at risk and potentially find antibiotics to prevent the cancer from claiming thousands of lives each year.

“This is an exciting discovery that has the potential to truly revolutionise treatment for men,” said Dr Hayley Luxton of Prostate Cancer UK, which co-funded the research.

Discovery of bacteria linked to prostate cancer hailed as potential breakthrough

Scientists don’t yet know if the microbes are causative, but if proven it could save thousands of lives

www.theguardian.com

 

[trophywench]

If men were able to reasonably easily get routine blood tests including their PSA, perhaps one bloke wouldn't die of prostate cancer every three quarters of an hour. Kills more people than any 'womens' cancer.

Prostate Cancer UK reckon approx 40,000 men have missed being diagnosed with it during the last 2 years. Certainly when we (local PC support group) run 'awareness' days locally, there's no shortage of men booking to get blood tests, we usually get well over 100 blokes attending and (test results being reported on a traffic light basis) usually 10%ish are 'red'.

Even if the result is 'green' - once you have a 'score on the door' you can then compare future test results and do something if it suddenly increases - bit like BG !