Winston-Salem, N.C. — Researchers at Wake Forest University School of Medicine have developed a genetic blood test to determine a man's risk for prostate cancer before it appears.
The trial results appear in the latest edition of the New England Journal of Medicine. Researchers examined five places in the genetic code.
When any four of them were abnormal, the probability of prostate cancer increased by as much as 500 percent.
Until now, family history was the best way to measure risk. A prostate specific antigen (PSA) test and digital rectal exam lead to a diagnosis.
Dr. Herbert Lepore with the New York University Medical Center said high-tech advances are exciting, but a PSA test is still the best weapon, if done early and often.
"Rather than doing some of these more complex genetics studies to assign risk, the simpler solution may be, let's just screen everyone who is 40, instead of 50," he said.
At least one company, though, plans to start offering the blood test in the coming months. It could be years until it's available on a widespread basis, however.
Still, it's already an inspiration for the cancer-fighting community.
"Every step is a major step, and something like this is absolutely phenomenal," said Bob Brown, with the American Cancer Society Foundation.
Test Can Detect Prostate Cancer Before It Appears
- Reporter: Allen Mask, M.D.
- Photographer: Rick Armstrong
- Web Editor: Kelly Gardner
Copyright 2011 by Capitol Broadcasting Company. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
6 Comments
Maximize your workout for 29.95
20% Off Skin Rejuvenation Products May 15th!
Home Alarm - $0 Down + $25/month




![[READ STORY]](http://wwwcache.wral.com/asset/news/national_world/national/2013/05/14/12445890/12446751-1368816960-100x75.jpg)
![[VIEW PAGE]](http://wwwcache.wral.com/asset/news/local/2013/05/13/12441232/hahn-100x75.jpg)
![[GALLERY]](http://wwwcache.wral.com/asset/entertainment/2013/03/28/12278304/LNL-100x75.jpg)
![[VIEW PAGE]](http://wwwcache.wral.com/asset/traffic/2009/07/23/5645694/beltline-100x75.jpg)
![[GALLERY]](http://wwwcache.wral.com/asset/entertainment/2013/03/04/12182235/12182236-1362457268-100x75.jpg)



WRAL.com welcomes your comments on this story. All comments are moderated prior to publication based on our posting guidelines. Please review them prior to posting and if your message is not approved.
This story is closed for comments.
January 22, 2008 5:41 p.m.
January 22, 2008 10:23 a.m.
January 21, 2008 3:18 p.m.
January 18, 2008 4:09 p.m.
January 18, 2008 10:10 a.m.