Kate Manley has been working as part of the Cancer Genetics team to develop the Prostate Urine Risk (PUR) test. The test just needs a urine sample which can be done at home – much more comfortable and cheaper than the current methods that all require a hospital visit for blood tests, physical examinations, MRI scans or a biopsy.
The innovative test can tell the difference between a low, intermediate or high-risk cancer, which allows doctors to determine the best way to treat it. The treatment for prostate cancer can cause more severe symptoms than the cancer itself – it develops so slowly that a lot of people don’t actually need treatment. By understanding their risk level, men with only low or intermediate risk can continue to be monitored with regular PUR tests instead of undergoing treatment.
Because the urine sample can be taken at home and sent by post, the PUR test could allow more men to screened more often, identifying their risk factors earlier and more accurately. In a pilot study, the PUR test predicted which patients were going to need treatment up to five years earlier than standard methods. It’s now in the validation stage, on its way to becoming available for clinical use.
Prostate cancer affects 1 in 8 men and people with a prostate in their lifetime, making it the most commonly diagnosed type of cancer for men in the UK. Thanks to your support, we were able to give Kate a grant for her research. Her work will make a real difference to people with prostate cancer, helping them to avoid uncomfortable screening and unnecessary treatment. Thank you.
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