How likely am I to get prostate cancer?

If you’re a man of middle age, you might be thinking about your risk of developing prostate cancer in the future.

But how do you know if you’ll get it?

This is the million-dollar question. Fortunately, a new low-cost genetic test may provide an answer.

Keep reading to find out more.

If you want to learn more about your health, get in touch with Better2Know today.

What is prostate cancer?

Prostate cancer is a type of cancer that develops in the prostate gland – a small gland in men that produces seminal fluid (the fluid that carries sperm). It’s one of the most common types of cancer in older men.

We don’t really know what causes prostate cancer. However, your risk of developing prostate cancer can correlate with:

• Age
• Race
• Family history
• Genetic mutations
• Obesity

Around one in eight men in the UK will get prostate cancer at some point in their lives, according to the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE).

Each year, around 47,600 people are diagnosed with prostate cancer. Around 11,600 die from this disease.

Most people who get prostate cancer are older men. The most common age for diagnosis is between 65 and 69 years old. 50% of new prostate cancers are diagnosed in men aged 70 or older.

There is a particular risk for Black men. It’s estimated that around one in four Black men will get prostate cancer during their lifetime.

Cancer Research UK reports that almost eight in 10 (77.6%) men diagnosed with prostate cancer in England survive their disease for ten years or more. Nine in 10 men (90%) diagnosed with prostate cancer aged 15-54 or 55-64 survive their disease 10 years or more, compared to 35.6% of men diagnosed aged 75-99.

A new genetic test is revolutionising prostate cancer screening

Given these statistics, as many men as possible should be screened for this disease.

That’s why Better2Know is excited to offer a new polygenic risk test that can accurately determine your future risk for prostate cancer.

This test uses a single saliva sample to assess 130 genetic variants in your DNA. When analysed, these variants provide a unique risk score for prostate cancer.

A polygenic risk score (PRS) is calculated by summing the weighted effects of these variants, each one contributing a small amount to your overall risk. Individuals with the highest percentiles (e.g. the top 10%) are considered at elevated risk. Each PRS is unique for each individual, allowing for more personalised care and tailored risk assessments.

Knowing your genetic predisposition will allow you to take action early, when your condition will be easier to treat.

This test also gives you options. Rather than visiting a clinic and having your blood drawn, you can take this test safely in your home with a home test kit. Only a saliva sample is needed, meaning anyone with a fear of needles can get tested in a way that makes them feel more comfortable.

Order your polygenic risk test from our shop.

PRS testing may replace old diagnostic methods

This new testing method is backed up by rigorous research in the field of genetics. In a comprehensive study published in The New England Journal of Medicine, researchers identified 745 men with high polygenic risk scores. These tests helped identify prostate cancer in 187 participants. The cancer wouldn’t have been detected in 74 men using current diagnostic methods. 

Until recently, most tests for prostate cancer were blood tests that looked for a prostate-specific antigen (PSA). This antigen is a protein made by both normal and cancerous prostate cells.

Most men have some PSA in their blood. While elevated levels of PSA can indicate prostate cancer, they may also be caused by other, less harmful conditions, such as urinary infections. When PSA levels in the blood are identified, a doctor typically orders additional tests, such as an MRI scan or a biopsy.

And yet, someone with elevated PSA levels may be encouraged to undergo testing and treatment they may not need. A 15-year study published in JAMA found that invitations to a PSA test for men without symptoms had little impact on reducing prostate cancer deaths.

How do I know if I should get checked?

You should get your polygenic risk test if:

• You’re a man aged 40 or older
• You want to be proactive about your health
• You’re concerned about your prostate health
• You have a history of prostate cancer in your family

If you’d like to learn more about genetic testing, get in touch with Better2Know today. Call the number listed at the top of this page or click the button below to book a general health or sexual health test near you.

Gain insight into your overall health with Better2Know’s Health and Wellness tests.

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