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Precise Prostate Cancer Test

Urologists Make Prostate Cancer Detection Less Invasive, More Accurate With New Urine Test

April 1, 2011

Urologists are using a new urine test to detect prostate cancer in patients more accurately and less invasively. Traditional detection tests are done through blood collection and can result in unnecessary biopsies up to 80 percent of the time. The new urine test is more precise and specific, clearing up the ambiguity of the blood test and helping to eliminate unnecessary biopsies.

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Science Insider

ABOUT PROSTATE CANCER: This is a type of cancer that originates within the prostateýa small gland that makes up part of the male reproductive system. It is the third most common cause of death in men with cancer, although it is rarely found in men under the age of 40.

WHAT IS PSA TESTING: Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) testing is one step in early identification of prostate tumors, combined with digital rectal examination. But PSA testing can miss some cancers, or produce a false positive (indicating a cancer that doesn't exist).

The Biophysical Society contributed to the information contained in the TV portion of this report.

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Katie Vloet
Lead Public Relations Representative
University of Michigan Health System
kgazella@med.umich.edu

Ellen Weiss
Biophysical Society
eweiss@biophysics.org
Phone:ý 240-290-5606


© 2011 American Institute of Physics