New Cancer Test Helps Men's Reduce Unnecessary Prostate Biopsies

According to the American Cancer Society (ACS), other than skin cancer, prostate cancer is the most common cancer in American men

The ACS estimates that in 2019 there will be approximately 174,650 new cases of prostate cancer and 31,620 deaths. About 1 man in 9 will be diagnosed with prostate cancer during his lifetime. Prostate cancer develops mainly in older men and in African-American men. The Next Generation Test for Prostate Cancer While Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) is currently the most used screening test for prostate cancer, it is widely recognized that PSA results can indicate the possibility of prostate cancer when none is present. 

  The Prostate Health Index (phi) is an FDA approved blood test that can help differentiate prostate cancer from benign prostate conditions in men with elevated PSA. The Prostate Health Index is fast becoming the "second opinion" for men with elevated PSA who want more information before deciding to move forward with a prostate biopsy. The Prostate Health Index utilizes three different PSA markers (PSA, free PSA, and p2PSA) as part of a sophisticated algorithm to more reliably determine the probability of cancer in patients with elevated PSA levels and can help men and their physicians decide if a prostate biopsy is indicated. Like many men who are told they have an elevated PSA, Jim Robinson was concerned about prostate cancer. 

 "I certainly didn’t want to delay treatment if I had prostate cancer, but I was also worried about having a prostate biopsy if I didn’t need one." Jim’s story is not an unusual one, after all, studies have shown that approximately 70 percent of men with an elevated PSA who have a biopsy do not have cancer. In addition to prostate cancer, a number of benign (not cancerous) conditions can cause a man’s PSA level to rise. 

 The most frequent benign prostate conditions that cause an elevation in PSA level are prostatitis (inflammation of the prostate) and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) (enlargement of the prostate. The Prostate Health Index is included in the National Comprehensive Cancer Network Guideline for Prostate Cancer Early Detection as a blood test to improve specificity for prostate cancer detection. The Prostate Health Index is indicated for men age 50 years and older with an elevated PSA between 4ng/ml and 10ng/ml. Patients Can Order The Test Online Men who want a greater say in their treatment and want the Prostate Health Index test done at their request, can now initiate a physician order online through a telehealth physician network that can address a patient’s immediate need to get tested and to help guide their management. 

 Patients are advised to share their test report with their regular healthcare professionals so that results can be integrated into their treatment plans.