Accounting for Genetic Factors That Cause Normal Variations in PSA Levels May Improve Accuracy of Prostate Cancer Detection; Approach Has Potential to Reduce Unnecessary Biopsies and Improve Detection of Tumors with More Aggressive Profile; Results Presented at AACR Annual Meeting

The accuracy of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) screening for prostate cancer could be improved by accounting for genetic factors that cause changes in PSA levels that are not associated with cancer, according to data presented during the AACR Annual Meeting 2022, held April 8-13 in New Orleans. Over 19,000 scientists and physicians are registered for the AACR (American Asssociation for Cancer Research) conference, with ~80% (~15,200) attending in person and ~20% (~3,800) attending virtually. The AACR has over 50,000 members worldwide. “PSA levels represent the main diagnostic biomarker for prostate cancer. This test is widely used, but not currently implemented as part of a formal screening program,” said presenter Linda Kachuri, MPH, PhD, a postdoctoral scholar in the Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF). “Because of its poor sensitivity and specificity, PSA testing can often lead to detecting latent disease or, in some cases, missing aggressive tumors.”

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