Proteins linked to prostate cancer found

BRISTOL, England, Nov. 6 (UPI) -- British scientists report discovering proteins that could be early warning signs for prostate cancer.

The team at Bristol University identified two proteins that regulate growth in organs and tissue and are higher in men who later develop symptoms, The Daily Telegraph reported Saturday.

Lead author Mari-Anne Rowlands said: "These results suggest that we may have identified potential new biomarkers for very early prostate cancer in men with no symptoms. Now we need more research to determine whether levels of these potential biomarkers predict which prostate cancers detected by screening might progress to become life-threatening."

She and her colleagues compared a range of markers in 2,686 men with prostate cancer and 2,766 men without the disease.

The standard predictive test measures prostate-specific antigen, which rises in the presence of cancerous tissue. But the PSA does not show the cancer very early and is often inaccurate.

Last month other British researchers said they were working on a urine test for prostate cancer that would spot men with a higher genetic risk.