Prostate cancer: Simple urine test may help with early detection
Written by Paul Ian Cross, PhD on May 6, 2025 — Fact checked by Amanda Ward
Scientists are working on developing a urine test to detect prostate cancer.Early detection of prostate cancer remains a major clinical challenge due to the lack of reliable biomarkers, despite the disease being highly treatable when caught in its early stages.
Now, researchers have identified a new set of urine-based biomarkers that can accurately detect both the presence and severity of prostate cancer.
The study combines artificial intelligence with detailed genetic analysis and could potentially offer an alternative to current PSA testing.
Prostate cancer is one of the most frequently diagnosed cancers in men yet is often highly treatable when detected early. It originates in the prostate gland, located between the bladder and the penis.
While the exact cause remains unknown, the likelihood of developing the disease increases with age.
One reason early detection is challenging is the absence of reliable biomarkers that can accurately indicate the onset of the disease.
This new research, published in the journal Cancer Research, suggests that early-stage prostate cancer can be detected using a simple urine test.
Researchers created digital models of prostate cancer by analysing mRNA activity across all human genes in thousands of individual tumour cells, each classified by cancer grade and location.
They used artificial intelligence to examine these models and identify proteins that could act as potential biomarkers.
These biomarkers were then tested in blood, prostate tissue and urine samples from nearly 2,000 patients.
First author Martin Smelik explained the key findings to Medical News Today .
'The key finding of this article is that prostate cancer can be effectively identified by analyzing the expression of candidate biomarkers in urine,' Smelik explained.
'This approach [via a urine sample] outperforms the current blood tests based on PSA but at the same time keeps the advantages of being non-invasive, painless, and relatively cheap.'
— Martin Smelik
A specific set of urine-based biomarkers showed strong potential in detecting both the presence and severity of prostate cancer with greater accuracy than PSA, the current standard blood-based marker.
A PSA test is a simple blood test that checks the level of a protein called prostate-specific antigen, which is made by the prostate.
High levels of PSA can be a sign of prostate cancer, but they can also be caused by other conditions like an enlarged or inflamed prostate.
Plans are now in place to conduct large-scale clinical trials to further validate the findings.
In addition, discussions are underway to include the novel biomarkers in a UK-wide prostate cancer study to speed up testing and implementation.
'This publication brings hope for more efficient screening programs within next few years, which might ultimately help to prevent and treat prostate cancer. While this study was focused specifically on prostate cancer, we believe that some of the methods could be generalized to other cancers as well, which we would like to try in our future studies.'
— Martin Smelik
These improvements may also help reduce the number of unnecessary biopsies in men who do not have the disease.
Milan Sheth, MD, quadruple board certified in internal medicine, hematology, oncology, and palliative care, at MemorialCare Todd Cancer Institute at Long Beach Medical Center in Long Beach, CA, who was not involved in the study, said that this is an impressive study utilising artificial intelligence to find alternative methods and bio markers for diagnosing prostate cancer.
'Early diagnosis and treatment are critical for preventing such complications. However, current methods for diagnosing prostate cancer utilize uncomfortable, and invasive approaches that can only be performed by a urologist.'
— Milan Sheth
'The findings from the current paper showed that specific biomarkers which are dynamic and more sensitive than PSA can actually be found in the urine,' Sheth told MNT . 'Remarkably, the urinary bio markers demonstrated exceptional diagnostic precision, and we're capable of distinguishing not only cancerous from non-cancer states but also indicating disease severity.'
'This discovery could potentially change the ways in which prostate cancer is not only diagnosed but can also be used as a more accurate screening mechanism, which we desperately need. And all this simply through a urine test,' Sheth said.
Ramkishen Narayanan, MD, board certified urologist and urologic oncologist and Director of the Center for Urologic Health at The Roy and Patricia Disney Family Cancer Center at Providence Saint Joseph Medical Center in Burbank, CA, agreed, saying that 'this paper presents an exciting area of research.'
'With respect to prostate cancer, serum PSA has remained the only reliable 'biomarker' for nearly 50 years at this point. We are long overdue for additional biomarkers that can both detect prostate cancer and monitor prostate cancer progression.'
— Ramkishen Narayanan
Narayanan pointed out that 'the study authors make note that urine may be an excellent modality for finding a reliable biomarker due to the 'local fluids' near cancer concept.'
'Urine is intimately associated with the prostate and a urinary biomarker for prostate cancer is an ongoing area of research worldwide,' he said.
'Spatial transcriptomics is unfortunately very expensive; therefore, a globally collaborative approach (such as the cancer genome atlas program) would be the most beneficial to the public,' Narayanan added.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Sun
40 minutes ago
- The Sun
Designer Karen Millen forced to issue an apology after sparking backlash by calling breastfeeding mothers ‘selfish'
KAREN Millen has been forced to issue an apology after causing backlash with her claim that breastfeeding makes mothers "selfish". The fashion designer was on Channel 5 show Vanessa on Tuesday when she made the controversial comments, as she weighed in on a viral story about a U.S. mum breastfeeding her three-year-old. 3 3 3 "There's no benefit, is there, for a child to be breastfed beyond six months, really," Karen said when asked for her opinion on the story. "I think it's quite a selfish thing on the mother's part." "Do you?" host Vanessa Feltz asked. "Why do you feel that?" "I do, actually, yeah," Karen continued. "I just think, you know, that's not good emotionally for that child." Influencer and mum-of-two Imogen was among those slamming Karen for the interview, as she said she "can't even bring myself to watch it" because she's "so angry and upset". Calling her a "woman bashing women", Imogen continued in her TikTok video: "Breastfeeding is incredible for your children. "The amount of antibodies, the goodness, everything that comes with that. "We can say how amazing something is without offending every single person in the world. "I just think comments like that should be kept to your own Whatsapp chat." Following the backlash surrounding the interview, Karen issued a statement to Vanessa, as she insisted it wasn't her "intention to upset a lot of your viewers". "The question was aimed at a three-year-old being breastfed, and my thoughts on that," she said. "And my answers reflected that, not the subject of breastfeeding. "I have three children, and I breastfed all three of them up until six, seven months, despite it being incredibly painful. "I got mastitis each time, and cracked and sore nipples. But I did it because I knew it was the best thing for them for at least six months. "So, you know, I think my issue was more on the fact that, you know, as a baby, breast milk is the best. What are the recommendations around breastfeeding? The NHS recommends breastfeeding your baby exclusively (feeding them breast milk only) for the first six months, but it's completely up to you to decide when you want to bring it to an end - and there's really no right or wrong way to do it. The NHS says weaning often happens gradually as your baby begins to eat more solid foods. They note that solid food shouldn't replace breast milk, as there is evidence to suggest breast milk helps a baby's digestive system when processing solid food for the first time. "Once they are eating solids, your baby will still need to have breast milk or formula as their main drink up to at least their first birthday," recommends the NHS. "Cows' milk isn't suitable as a main drink for babies under one, although it can be added to foods, such as mashed potatoes." You can also combine breastfeeding with formula, too and the NHS says "phasing out" of breastfeeding is often the easiest way. For example, dropping one feed in the day or at night time. After around a week, you can begin to think about dropping another. "If your baby is younger than one year, you'll need to replace the dropped breastfeed with a formula feed from a bottle or (if they are over six months) a cup or beaker, instead," they say. You can breastfeed for as long as you want, and while the NHS recommends breastfeeding your baby exclusively for the first six months, you shouldn't feel like you cannot continue for longer. The World Health Organization says: "Exclusive breastfeeding is recommended up to 6 months of age, with continued breastfeeding along with appropriate complementary foods up to two years of age or beyond." "And beyond being a baby, growing into a toddler, I just found it more difficult to come to terms with how that would benefit a three-year-old, a toddler. "So anyway, everyone has their own personal choice and decision in these things, and I respect that. "And as a woman, to women, I do respect your choices, and I do want to support you. "So my apologies once again - I hope you forgive me." But many people in the comments section were unwilling to accept the apology, with one writing: "This issue was that there was no balance and it was factually incorrect. "As a programme you should know better. Very disappointing. "Karen Millen came across as really smug and was quite rude, there was no compassion from her!" "We don't accept her apology. Cancel Karen Millen," another urged. "Well that's not an apology is it," a third sighed. As someone else called it the "most pathetic apology ever". "Karen Millen specifically mentioned breastfeeding past 6 months," they added. "She likened it to an addiction. She is completely uneducated and ignorant of the FACTS and recommendations by WHO (the World Health Organisation). "That is what she should apologise for. Not a half hearted back peddle. "She judges parents that breastfeed past 6 months - shameful." Vanessa concluded by saying: "The World Health Organisation recommends that children be breastfed exclusively for the first six months of their lives, and then up to the age of two and beyond that, if it suits the family." Others insisted that Karen is entitled to her own opinion, with some agreeing with her. "Apologise for your own opinion?? Why?" one questioned. "I don't see why she she should apologise," another added. "Karen is 100% right," a third insisted.
The Sun
an hour ago
- The Sun
I'm going to live until 150 by biohacking myself – here's how to do it at home in 8 simple steps
NOBODY on Earth has lived to see 150-years-old - but that doesn't stop people from trying to push the boundaries of ageing. Kayla Barnes-Lentz and her husband spend six figures a year on a range of pricey tools and treatments as part of their reverse-aging quest but claim there are eight ways to biohack your body on a budget from home. 7 7 7 Biohacking is the viral buzz phrase behind making small, strategic changes to your lifestyle that can slow down your biological clock. For Barnes-Lentz, a 33-year-old longevity clinic owner, it means "having agency over your health and... getting more vested in how you feel on a day to day basis". "The industry definitely is kind of defined by being a really wealthy person's game - or only for people with the means," she adds. "But the honest truth is that the practices that move the needle the most are quite basic, and they are low cost or free." Humming Barnes-Lentz recommends "humming for improving vagal nerve tone". Vagal nerve tone, the activity of the vagus nerve, is linked to numerous health benefits, particularly in regulating the so-called "rest and digest" system. A high vagal tone is associated with better cardiovascular health, smoother digestion, reduced inflammation, and a calmer nervous system. Sunlight exposure Natural light is a potent biohacker, according to Barnes-Lentz. It can affect everything from sleep quality to your mood. "We're very dysregulated from that these days because of blue light, staying up late watching television, and not really getting natural sun exposure early in the morning," she explains. What a budget biohacker eats in a day But getting 10 to 15 minutes of sunlight within the first half an hour of your day can help your circadian rhythm and boost serotonin - the happiness hormone. "And then additionally, you can also view the sunlight later in the day as the sun sets, because it further anchors your circadian rhythm," says Barnes-Lentz. "It essentially signals to your body like, 'OK, here's the sun in the morning. I'm trying to wake up'. "And then we see sunset, the colour range of the sun while setting is very different. So it signals to our body, 'OK, sunset, it's time to start winding down'." Blue light 7 Cutting down your screen time before bed is critical for limiting your blue light exposure, according to Barnes-Lentz. Blue light at night suppresses your natural melatonin production - the sleep regulating hormone. This in turn can upset your circadian rhythm. You can get blue light blocking glasses online for between £50 and £100. Although you can DIY them, buying cheap orange or amber safety glasses. Wearing these for between one and two hours before bed can block blue light spectrum from screens and blue-toned bulbs. You can also change your phone settings to make the screen glow a warmer tone later in the evening. Electrolyte and mineral water You can also make your own electrolyte and mineral-rich water at home just by adding salt - although Barnes-Lentz urges you make sure your salt is free of pesky microplastics. To replenish electrolytes, add about 1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon of salt per liter of water. This provides roughly 300mg to 600mg of sodium, which can help your body retain fluids without overloading on sodium. Home-based cryotherapy You can indulge in cryotherapy at home, according to Barnes-Lentz, without splashing the cash on fancy, specialised chambers. Ice baths or cold showers can help you de-stress, as well as lower inflammation and support immune system functions - three things that can potentially extend your lifespan. "Cold showers can be beneficial for some people," explains Barnes-Lentz. "As a woman, I do mine more in the follicular phase [of the menstrual cycle] - that can give you a boost of dopamine and energy in the morning. "Then I dial it back a bit after ovulation... because we have higher levels of stress and we're recovering a little bit." Dunking your face in cold water - or applying a cold pack - for one to two minutes can also activate what's known as the diving reflex. This is a physiological response that slows the heart rate, diverts blood flow to vital organs like the brain and heart, and slows breathing. While it is our body's attempt at conserving oxygen while underwater, studies suggest it calms the nervous system via the vagus nerve. Detoxing Barnes-Lentz suggests dry brushing or even trampolining for eliminating toxins from organs like the liver, kidneys, and skin. So you don't need expensive diet plans or supplements. Dry brushing involves using a bristle body brush all over your body. It not only helps to unclog pores in the exfoliation process - but it can detoxify your skin by increasing blood circulation and promoting lymphatic drainage. It supports the flow of lymph fluid, which can lead to reduced swelling, improved circulation, and a boost to the immune system by removing waste and toxins. It's the same reason why massages are good for you - only much cheaper. And trampolining does the same thing, according to Barnes-Lentz. "I also like a small rebound or trampoline," she says. "Which is good for removing the lymph fluid, which can also enhance detoxification." Your lymphatic system relies on muscular contraction to move fluid around the body. So the simple act of brushing or bouncing on a trampoline can help clear toxins from the body. 10,000 steps 7 Physical activity is a cornerstone of health - but it doesn't have to involve a gym membership or expensive equipment. Walking, or mastering your own body weight, is one of the best ways to 'hack your health'. "If there was one pill for longevity, it would definitely be exercise," says Barnes-Lentz. The benefits span from boosting blood flow, adding muscle, strengthening bones, improving brain health - and longevity as a whole. So getting in those 10,000 steps or more is worth it, according to Barnes-Lentz. "Exercise can be done pretty much free or low cost," she continues. "I actually just moved from L.A. to Austin and we're not near gym. "So I'm doing at home workout programming with essentially just a couple of weights and mostly body weight." Dr Kambiz Alavian, of Imperial College London and an associate professor adjunct of medicine at Yale University, agrees. 'In the longevity field, there are no magic bullets – but exercise might come as close as it gets to biohacking," he tells The Sun. "It's still being called the miracle drug. "That said, the science behind the effects of metabolic health, muscle mass, and cardiovascular health – and any interventions that can improve those – in extending health span is strong.' Bed before 10pm 7 Another trick that doesn't require expensive gadgets is improving you sleep cycle. Simple changes like establishing a sleep schedule and calming bedtime routine can make a significant difference. And Barnes-Lentz reckons you should be going to bed before 10pm every night, in a cold, dark room. "A routine can be something such as, eating earlier, so stopping eating three hours prior to bed to really allow your melatonin to produce naturally and to optimise circadian rhythm," she says. "That can be really helpful." Something as simple as a sleep mask can be a good low-cost tool for "optimising" your sleep. Even a few restless nights can weaken your immune system, increase your blood glucose and increase your hunger hormone, ghrelin, so you'll have more cravings, according to Barnes-Lentz. It can also "decrease motivation so you won't be as motivated to work out or eat healthy," she continues. "So sleep is a game changer."
Daily Mail
an hour ago
- Daily Mail
Scroll through the UNIVERSE: Incredible interactive map lets you explore nearly 800,000 galaxies - peering back as far as 13.5 billion years
Studying the depths of the universe usually involves billions of pounds of supercomputers, satellites, and telescopes. But a team of scientists has now made it possible for you to explore the cosmos from the comfort of your own home. Their incredible interactive map, dubbed COSMOS-Web, lets you scroll through almost 800,000 galaxies and peer back as far as 13.5 billion years. That means looking back through 98 per cent of cosmic time almost to the birth of the universe 13.8 billion years ago. Covering an area of sky about the same size as three full moons, this image combines more than 10,000 photographs from the James Webb Space Telescope. Professor Caitlin Casey, an astronomer at UC Santa Barbara who co-led the COSMOS collaboration, said: 'Our goal was to construct this deep field of space on a physical scale that far exceeded anything that had been done before. 'If you had a printout of the Hubble Ultra Deep Field on a standard piece of paper, our image would be slightly larger than a 13-foot by 13-foot-wide mural, at the same depth. 'So it's really strikingly large.' While the data for this map has existed for a while, it was previously in a raw form that needed expert analysis and a supercomputer to interpret. But over the last two years, an international team of scientists has worked to turn the data behind the largest map of the universe into something that anyone can use. In the stunning interactive map, at this link, you can zoom out to see hundreds of thousands of galaxies stretch across the sky or zoom in to reveal amazing details. Using the tools included in the map you can even dive deeper into the data by switching between different imaging tools. To learn even more, turn on catalogues using the tabs on the left-hand side and click on any galaxy to bring up a vast trove of data. The researchers have made this available to the public in the hopes that more people will be able to help dig into the data and unpick some of the universe's most puzzling questions. Professor Casey says: 'The best science is really done when everyone thinks about the same data set differently. 'It's not just for one group of people to figure out the mysteries.' Six galaxies hidden in the COSMOS-Web map as they were 3 billion, 4 billion, 8 billion, 9 billion and 10 billion years ago (from top left to bottom right). This period spans almost the entirety of cosmic history Nine galaxies in the map which span all of cosmic time, from upper left to lower right: the present day universe, 3, 4, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 and 13 billion years ago Already, this enormous set of data is helping scientists understand how galaxies formed at the beginning of time and challenging some basic assumptions in astronomy. Based on data from the Hubble Space Telescope, astronomers expected galaxies to be extremely rare in the first 500 million years. This is because it takes a long time for stars to form under gravity and get pulled together into larger structures. But when the researchers looked back at the most distant reaches of the universe, they found there were about 10 times more galaxies than they expected to find. Professor Casey says: 'Since the telescope turned on we've been wondering 'Are these JWST datasets breaking the cosmological model?' 'Because the universe was producing too much light too early; it had only about 400 million years to form something like a billion solar masses of stars. We just do not know how to make that happen.' The map is so much more detailed than earlier efforts because of the size of the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST). While Hubble's main light-collecting was 7ft 10 inches (2.4m) across, the JWST's is a staggering 21ft (6.5m) wide. You can use the filters on the map to reveal more information about the universe By clicking on any galaxy you can pull up a huge amount of data collected by the James Webb Space Telescope That allows the telescope to collect the faintest traces of light coming from the furthest reaches of the galaxy. Dr Jeyhan Kartaltepe, associate professor at the Rochester Institute of Technology who co-leads COSMOS-Web, says: 'The sensitivity of JWST lets us see much fainter and more distant galaxies than ever before, so we're able to find galaxies in the very early universe and study their properties in detail.' Going forward the team behind COSMOS-Web still has a lot more work to do in order to unpack all the data hidden in the map. They plan to use the JWST spectrographic tools to identify the oldest galaxies in the image and learn more about the chemistry of these early stars. The Big Bang Theory is a cosmological model, a theory used to describe the beginning and the evolution of our universe. It says that the universe was in a very hot and dense state before it started to expand 13,7 billion years ago. This theory is based on fundamental observations. In 1920, Hubble observed that the distance between galaxies was increasing everywhere in the universe. This means that galaxies had to be closer to each other in the past. In 1964, Wilson and Penzias discovered the cosmic background radiation, which is a like a fossil of radiation emitted during the beginning of the universe, when it was hot and dense. The cosmic background radiation is observable everywhere in the universe. The composition of the universe - that is, the the number of atoms of different elements - is consistent with the Big Bang Theory. So far, this theory is the only one that can explain why we observe an abundance of primordial elements in the universe.
