The test would supplement current methods, including so-called PSA tests that have relatively low sensitivity, researchers said. "In the near future, it will be possible to combine PSA tests with simple genetic tests," according to Professor Henrik Gronberg at the Karolinska Institutet.

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"Fewer men will have to undergo unnecessary biopsies and more prostate cancer diagnoses can be made," he said.

Five gene variants identified
Researchers have so far identified five gene variants that affect the risk of prostate cancer that has been linked to inherited factors. By analysing "the cumulative effect of these gene variants," researchers were able to state "that men who carry four or more risk variants run a four to five time greater risk of developing prostate cancer."

Men with a family history of prostate cancer were even more at risk. The study, "Cumulative Association of Five Genetic Variants with Prostate Cancer," was presented in the January 17 edition of the New England Journal of Medicine.

It was based on genetic analyses of some 4 800 Swedish men, of whom 3 000 had prostate cancer and 1 800 had no such diagnosis. Every year approximately 10 000 Swedish men are diagnosed with prostate cancer, and in Stockholm alone some 150 000 PSA tests are made each year.- (Sapa)

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