‘Innovative’ DNA tests could ‘identify men most likely to be victims of unknown prostate cancer’

SCIENTISTS are developing a DNA test to find out whether a man’s prostate cancer will return.

Patients with a genetic risk of tumor cells going undetected and surviving radiotherapy could receive extra treatment to ensure they are all eliminated.

Current scans often can’t see the cells as they hide in small glands – but a man’s genes can deliver them.

Dr Jane Shortall, from the University of Manchester, said: “We found that a man’s DNA can affect the likelihood of his cancer spreading to a place where it can escape radiotherapy.

“With this knowledge, we are discovering for the first time how to identify these men so that we can adjust their treatment.

“We are also studying how to detect the first signs of the cancer returning in follow-up scans, so that it can be treated again as quickly and successfully as possible.”

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men, affecting more than 52,000 and killing 12,000 every year.

It’s not known what causes the disease, but age, family history, obesity and being black may mean you’re at higher risk.

The disease can be treated with radiotherapy or surgery to remove the organ, if detected early.

However, some men who have had successful radiotherapy treatment may see their cancer return because tumor cells have spread to seminal vesicle glands that scans cannot see.

Prostate Cancer UK is funding new research to improve how doctors are able to detect this and, as a result, improve people’s treatment.

Simon Grieveson, from Prostate Cancer UK, said: “For a man with early-stage prostate cancer, radiotherapy is an extremely effective treatment – ​​and for many men it can be curative.

“Unfortunately, however, many men find after treatment that their prostate cancer has returned.

“Dr Shortall’s work has the potential to optimize and adapt the way men are treated with radiotherapy and ensure that more men do not see their cancer return.”