Welcome to the UK Prostate Link eNewsletter, August 2008

About the UK Prostate Link eNewsletter.

This monthly update will help you to keep in touch with changes and updates to the site.

You’ve received it because you indicated that you wish to be kept up to date. If you wish to unsubscribe, please use the link at the bottom of the newsletter

 

Site updates in June:

1. NHS Choices
2. Cancer Research UK
3. Department of Health
4. Familydoctor.org (US)
5. National Cancer Research Institute
6. PCASO
7. Prostate UK
8. Netdoctor

Read more about how we keep the site up-to-date.

So far in August, the site has received over 3,250 visits with over 42,000 page views.

Site News

Experimental test for prostate cancer

At the end of July, Behind the Headlines looked into the news story about a potential new test for prostate cancer using microRNAs (single stranded ribonucleic acid molecules) in the blood.

This study looked at microRNAs in the blood of healthy men and men with metastatic prostate cancer, as well as tests in mice transplanted with human prostate cancer cells. It demonstrates what could be a promising new method for detecting cancer, specifically men with metastatic prostate cancer.

From looking at the results of other studies and their own tests, the researchers identified six miRNAs that had been reported as present in human prostate cancer cells, but not in normal human plasma or serum. They found that the levels of five of these six miRNAs were increased in pooled serum from 25 men with metastatic prostate cancer (cases) compared to pooled serum from healthy men (controls).

Behind the Headlines agrees that this test shows great potential, but cautions that more research is needed to confirm the results and establish exactly how well the test would work in a real population alongside other tests.

 

For family members:

When a member of the family gets a diagnosis of prostate cancer, it is natural that we have many questions we’d like answered. And beyond the immediate shock and concern for our loved one, these might be about whether other family members are at risk.

Our section for family members brings together information to answer some of the questions we’ve been asked by children and other relatives of men affected by prostate cancer. Find out more.

• We’d like to hear more about the information needs of family members. Let us know your unanswered questions.

 

"What questions should
my dad be asking his doctors?"

Responding to your queries:

“I have hormone-refractory prostate cancer and have been put on dexamethasone. How will this help?”

• About hormone-refractory (or “androgen independent”) prostate cancer on UKPL
• Steroid (dexamethasone) treatment from the Prostate Cancer Charity and Cancer Help.

“What are the side-effects of brachytherapy?”

• UKPL links about brachytherapy

“ProstateUK has commented favourably in its newsletter on taking pomegranate juice. I have come across three products firstly 100%juice but from concentrate secondly 50% juice not from concentrate (topped up with grape juice) and thirdly Optima which claims to be double strength and unrefined and which suggests only a 20ml serving as opposed to the others which suggest 200ml servings. I would be grateful as to any comment as which might be most beneficial.”

Unfortunately, UK Prostate Link doesn’t have the role nor resources to make recommendations such as this. I do note that another article on ProstateUK makes clear that they don’t recommend for or against pomegranate juice.

Note that the study this story refers to is a Phase II study, which means the juice was not compared with a control regimen. We can’t say for sure from this research that the improvement was caused by the juice.

• Pomegranate Juice in Treating Patients With Recurrent Prostate Cancer: US National Cancer Institute trial protocol | PubMed abstract of trial results

About UK Prostate Link

UK Prostate Link (UKPL) is funded by the Prostate Cancer Charter for Action, a coalition of cancer charities supported by the Department of Health.

UKPL is different to other websites because it compares many different sources at once and rates the quality of their information.

You can use UKPL to ensure that you have quick access to all of the best quality information on the prostate cancer topics that matter to you.

Find out how we rate the quality of information.