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www.insideHALTON.com | OAKVILLE BEAVER | Thursday, December 3, 2015 | 34 Health An Oakville clinical biochemist is developing an innovative DNA test to better detect prostate cancer and reduce the number of biopsies needed. As a result of a $200,000 Innovation Grant from the Canadian Cancer Society, Dr. Eleftherios Diamandis, a researcher at Toronto's Mount Sinai Hospital, is developing a DNA semen test for prostate cancer, which he says he hopes will provide men with more certainty and less pain. "We already know the 20 most frequent gene mutations in prostate cancer," Diamandis said in a media release. "We predict we will be able to test a semen sample for any of these 20 gene mutations, resulting in very few false positives. This would be far superior to the PSA test." A blood test can be used to detect raised levels of PSA (or prostate speci c antigen) in men. If levels are high, the doctor may order a biopsy. PSA blood test controversial According to the release, "routine screening for cancer using the PSA blood test is controversial, with many experts saying it's far too inaccurate and does more harm than good." One of the biggest issues with the PSA blood test is most men with high PSA don't actually have prostate cancer (called a false positive result), stated the release. A high PSA score could be caused by a variety of other factors, such as an enlarged prostate gland, an infection, recent sexual activity or even some medications. "Most men in their 60s and 70s have some kind of urological problem," said Diamandis. In addition, a biopsy -- meant to determine the cause of elevated PSAs -- are painful and can occasionally lead to some side effects, according to the release, which further states only approximately one third of men who undergo a biopsy actually have prostate cancer. New test determines if biopsy needed Under Diamandis' research, men would continue to rst be tested with existing methods, such as the PSA test; if their levels are high, they would be further screened with a semen test to show if biomarkers of prostate cancer are present to determine if a biopsy is needed. "This two-step screening process could radically cut down on the number of unnecessary biopsies by allowing men and their doctors to make more informed decisions," stated the release. Diamandis says a semen DNA test could also cost less than current methods. Once his study is complete in two years, Diamandis says he hopes to see the semen test go to clinical trials. Dr. Siân Bevan, director of research at the Canadian Cancer Society, says there is a signi cant need to better identify biomarkers to detect prostate cancers early and accurately. "For Canadian men, prostate cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer and the third most common cause of cancerrelated death," he said in the media release. "We need tools to distinguish which prostate cancers require aggressive treatment and which don't." Diamandis' research grant was supported "Connected to your Community" Oakville biochemist developing new DNA test to detect prostate cancer We already know the 20 most frequent gene mutations in prostate cancer. We predict we will be able to test a semen sample for any of these 20 gene mutations, resulting in very few false positives. This would be far superior to the (current) PSA (prostate speci c antigen) test. Clinical biochemist researcher at Toronto's Mount Sinai Hospital Dr. Eleftherios Diamandis by the Haladner Memorial Foundation Research Fund, set up in memory of Gertrude Green. Last year, the Canadian Cancer Society invested $44 million in Canadian cancer research projects, such as Diamandis'. CCS leader in ght against prostate cancer As the second largest national charitable funder of prostate cancer research in Canada, the Canadian Cancer Society is a leader in the ght against prostate cancer. "Thanks to Canadian Cancer Society donors, we are proud to invest in excellent Canadian scientists like Dr. Diamandis who could change the way we diagnose cancers, increase survival and improve quality of life," said Bevan. For more information on the new test or Diamandis's work, visit cancer.ca or call the toll-free bilingual Cancer Information Service line at 1-888-939-3333 or TTY 1-866786-3934. Follow Oakville Beaver staff on Twitter @OakvilleBeaver, @NewsHooked, @DavidLea6, @JuliaLeReporter, @Beaversports, @herbgarbutt or @Halton_Photog Oakville clinical biochemist Dr. Eleftherios Diamandis is developing a new DNA test to better detect prostate cancer and reduce the number of biopsies needed. 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