How DNA Tests Can Help Men With Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer is a serious health issue for many men. Doctors often use a method called active surveillance to monitor it. This means they keep a close eye on the cancer instead of treating it right away. But how do they decide who is a good fit for this approach? One tool that might help is the genomic prostate score (GPS). This is a DNA test that looks at the genes in a man's prostate cancer cells. The idea is that the GPS can give doctors more information. This information can help them predict if the cancer will get worse. But does the GPS really add something new? Doctors already use other tests and factors to make their decisions. These include things like the man's age, the size of the tumor, and how aggressive the cancer seems to be. The question is, does the GPS give doctors any extra insights beyond what they already know?A recent study tried to find out. The researchers looked at men who were eligible for active surveillance. They wanted to see if the GPS could predict which men were more likely to have bad outcomes if they later had surgery to remove the prostate. The results showed that the GPS did add some predictive value. But it wasn't a game-changer. The GPS gave doctors a little more information, but it didn't completely change their decisions. This means that while the GPS can be useful, it's not the only thing doctors should consider. In the end, the study suggests that the GPS is a helpful tool. But it's just one piece of the puzzle. Doctors still need to use their judgment and consider all the available information. This way, they can make the best decisions for their patients.