Q: Are any new tests available for detecting prostate cancer?
A: The latest tool in the fight against prostate cancer is the Prostate Health Index (PHI), a simple blood test that is three times more specific for the detection of prostate cancer than the PSA (prostate-specific antigen) test alone. Many patients undergo unnecessary prostate biopsies based on results of the PSA test. The PHI test gives a better option to determine if a prostate biopsy is appropriate. Currently, 75 percent of prostate biopsies performed are negative for cancer; PHI will help reduce the number of men that undergo a prostate biopsy unnecessarily.
– Dr. Amar Singh, Academic Urologists at Erlanger; member, Chattanooga-Hamilton County Medical Society
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