(HealthNewsDigest.com) – Many American men regard prostate problems as just one more effect of aging. The evidence certainly supports that opinion. Hormone changes that affect men with age can lead to enlarged prostates, and one study estimated the proportion of men affected at more than 90% over the age of 80. An enlarged prostate can be uncomfortable, but in itself is not a life-threatening problem. Prostate cancer, however, is a different matter.
Many medical professionals in the US, including Erol Onel, are working to improve both the detection and the treatment of a condition that, according to research from the Prostate Cancer Foundation, is diagnosed in around three million men in the US and is the second most deadly form of cancer in men, second only to lung cancer.
Unlike some other cancers, however, prostate cancer can be successfully treated if identified early. That is why men should be proactive in their approach to the risks of prostate cancer. Instead of waiting to have a standard prostate exam once they reach the age of 50, men are being encouraged to speak to their physician, who can produce a tailored screening program that takes into account the most important risk factors, including genetics.
Thanks to the pioneering work of experts in the field of prostate cancer detection and treatment, there have been a number of important innovations in recent years. Here are some of the most significant weapons in the fight against prostate cancer.
MRI modeling
The basis of any model for the effective treatment of prostate cancer has to be built on high-quality diagnostic processes, and among the recent developments with the greatest potential for accurately detecting the disease is MRI modeling.
MRI modeling gives physicians the ability to quickly detect high-risk forms of prostate cancer and to create three-dimensional models that can assist diagnosis. It also has the advantage, besides a high degree of precision, of being non-invasive. MRI technology has shown promise in this area for many years, but the technology lagged behind the theory.
That situation has improved during the last decade, and MRI modeling is increasingly being used by urologists for identifying prostate cancer. As the cost of this technology reduces, it is likely to be increasingly common and a key part of future prostate cancer diagnosis.
Gilupi
A Gilupi is an unusual device, best described as a metal coil, that it is claimed can identify cancer by resting in a patient’s vein for a number of minutes. It also provides physicians with results that can be analyzed in order to determine the best treatment.
This method of diagnosis was developed by the John Wayne Cancer Institute, in conjunction with a team of German engineers, and works by locating circulating tumor cells, including those associated with prostate cancer. The device has already been in use in Germany and the US and has the potential to revolutionize the way that prostate cancer is screened.
Indocyanine green
Indocyanine green, which is also sometimes known as ICG, is believed to have considerable potential for the diagnosis of prostate cancer. It is a green dye that is currently used to identify kidney cancer and similar diseases. Researchers have been investigating the possibility of using ICG administered through injection into the prostate, and using it to identify which lymph nodes might be harboring cancer cells. The research is currently at an early stage, but ICG is one of the most innovative approaches currently being considered.
Biomarkers
Ever since the development of Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) as a method of diagnosing prostate cancer, experts have been working to develop a better range of non-invasive biomarker tests that can improve on PSA.
The new generation of biomarker tests, including SelectMDx, ConfirmMDx and 4Kscore, are a leap forward in biomarker technology, combining the biomarker element with clinical data and producing an accurate risk score. These new biomarker methods have succeeding in improving detection rates and offering a more modern alternative to PSA.
Conclusion
The fight against prostate cancer is an important part of any nationwide strategy to improve men’s health. Awareness of the disease and the importance of regular and appropriate screening is one part of the solution to tackling prostate cancer, but the advances in detection and treatment technology are also making a major contribution, and as the technology continues to develop in the years to come, the number of men who survive prostate cancer should hopefully continue to rise.