Home Health Prostate cancer is NOT just a disease – breakthrough as scientists discover the disease actually falls into two types and could save thousands of lives

Prostate cancer is NOT just a disease – breakthrough as scientists discover the disease actually falls into two types and could save thousands of lives

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Prostate cancer is NOT just a disease – breakthrough as scientists discover the disease actually falls into two types and could save thousands of lives

According to experts, thousands of lives could be saved after the discovery of a new type of prostate cancer.

Artificial intelligence has helped scientists discover a new form of the disease that could revolutionize the way it is diagnosed and treated in the future.

Their study has found that prostate cancer, which affects one in eight men during their lifetime, includes two different subtypes.

And the revelation could lead to personalized treatments for each individual patient depending on which type they have.

The team, led by researchers from the University of Oxford and the University of Manchester, used artificial intelligence (AI) to study changes in DNA in prostate cancer samples from 159 patients.

Prostate cancer is NOT just a disease – breakthrough as

1709232553 71 Prostate cancer is NOT just a disease – breakthrough as

1709232553 71 Prostate cancer is NOT just a disease – breakthrough as

Stephen Fry, 66, was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2018 but has since recovered. Last week he supported the #CatchUpWithCancer campaign and criticized the “deadly” delays tens of thousands of people have faced.

More than 52,000 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer each year on average in the UK, making it the most common cancer in men. Around 12,000 men die each year from this disease, the equivalent of one every 45 minutes.

More than 52,000 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer each year on average in the UK, making it the most common cancer in men. Around 12,000 men die each year from this disease, the equivalent of one every 45 minutes.

More than 52,000 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer each year on average in the UK, making it the most common cancer in men. Around 12,000 men die each year from this disease, the equivalent of one every 45 minutes.

They identified two distinct groups of cancer among these patients and were able to generate an “evolutionary tree” showing how each of them developed, ultimately converging on two distinct types of diseases called “evotypes.”

This is significant since until now it was thought that prostate cancer was just one type of disease.

Lead researcher Dr Dan Woodcock, from the University of Oxford, said: “Our research shows that prostate tumors evolve along multiple pathways, leading to two distinct types of diseases.”

“This understanding is critical as it allows us to classify tumors based on how the cancer evolves and not solely on individual genetic mutations or expression patterns.”

The researchers worked together as part of an international consortium called The Pan Prostate Cancer Group, created by scientists from the Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) and the University of East Anglia to analyze genetic data from thousands of prostate cancer samples in nine countries. .

The team’s collaboration with Cancer Research UK (CRUK), which funded the study, aims to develop a genetic test that, when combined with conventional staging and classification, can provide a more accurate prognosis for each patient, enabling treatment decisions. personalized.

Dr Rupal Mistry, Senior Director of Scientific Engagement at CRUK, said: “The work published today by this global consortium of researchers has the potential to make a real difference to people affected by prostate cancer.

«The more we understand about cancer, the more possibilities we will have of developing treatments to combat it.

“We are proud to have helped fund this cutting-edge work, which has laid the foundation for personalized treatments for people with prostate cancer, allowing more people to overcome their disease.”

Research Professor Colin Cooper, from the University of East Anglia’s Norwich Medical School, highlighted that while prostate cancer is responsible for a large proportion of all cancer deaths in men, a disease caused by prostate cancer is more common. that men die for, that for which they die.

This means that unnecessary treatments can often be avoided, sparing men side effects such as incontinence and impotence.

He added: “This study is really important because until now we thought that prostate cancer was just one type of disease.”

“But only now, with advances in artificial intelligence, have we been able to show that there are actually two different subtypes at play.

“We hope that the findings will not only save lives through better diagnosis and personalized treatments in the future, but can also help researchers working in other cancer fields better understand other types of cancer.”

Dr Naomi Elster, research director at Prostate Cancer Research, said: “These results could be the start of us taking the same ‘divide and conquer’ approach to prostate cancer that has worked for other diseases, such as breast cancer.’

The findings were published in the journal Cell Genomics.

WHAT IS PROSTATE CANCER?

How many people does he kill?

More than 11,800 men a year – or one every 45 minutes – die from the disease in Britain, compared with around 11,400 women who die from breast cancer.

This means that prostate cancer is second only to lung and bowel cancer in terms of how many people it kills in Britain.

In the United States, the disease kills 26,000 men each year.

Despite this, it receives less than half of the funding for breast cancer research and treatments for the disease are at least a decade behind schedule.

How many men are diagnosed annually?

Every year, more than 52,300 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer in the UK – more than 140 every day.

How fast does it develop?

Prostate cancer usually develops slowly, so there may be no signs of someone having it for many years, depending on the National Health Service.

If the cancer is in an early stage and is not causing symptoms, a “watchful waiting” or “active surveillance” policy may be adopted.

Some patients can be cured if the disease is treated in the early stages.

But if it is diagnosed at a later stage, when it has spread, it becomes terminal and treatment revolves around relieving symptoms.

Thousands of men are discouraged from seeking a diagnosis because of the known side effects of treatment, including erectile dysfunction.

Tests and treatment

Testing for prostate cancer is confusing, and precise tools are just beginning to emerge.

There is no national prostate screening program because the tests have been too inaccurate for years.

Doctors have difficulty distinguishing between aggressive and less serious tumors, making it difficult to decide treatment.

Men over 50 are eligible for a ‘PSA’ blood test which gives doctors a rough idea of ​​whether a patient is at risk.

But it is not reliable. Patients who obtain a positive result usually undergo a biopsy, which is also not foolproof.

Scientists aren’t sure what causes prostate cancer, but age, obesity, and lack of exercise are known risks.

Anyone with any concerns can speak to the specialist nurses at Prostate Cancer UK on 0800 074 8383 or visit prostatecancer.org

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