The HALO PathWay™ for Prostate Cancer Saves Patient's Lives Through Early Detection

Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death for men. 1 in 9 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime. According to the American Cancer Society, while most prostate cancers occur in men without a family history of the disease, having a father or brother with prostate cancer more than doubles a man’s risk of developing it. The risk increases with every additional family member affected by the disease, particularly if the relative was young when the cancer was found.

Men with a family history of breast, endometrial, ovarian, colon, pancreatic, or prostate cancer, could be at risk for developing prostate cancer themself. Ethnicity can also play a big part in one’s chances of getting prostate cancer. African American men are 1.8 times more likely to be diagnosed with prostate cancer, and 1 in 40 Ashkenazi Jewish patients carry a BRCA mutation, resulting in a higher risk of prostate cancer.

Depending on your risk factors, you may begin screening for prostate cancer at an early age, though general guidelines recommend starting at age 55. The Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) screening test is the standard test to identify clinically significant prostate cancers. Dr. John Feller, HALO’s Chief Medical Officer, explains that this test alone misses 15% of clinically significant prostate cancers. When combined with advanced imaging and germline genetic testing through the HALO Way™, less than 1% of clinically significant prostate cancer is missed.

Patients with a high PSA level require further screening. 99% of high-grade cancers are detected when the mpMRI, PSA Density, and urine biomarkers are used together. By combining imaging, lab, and genetic test results, HALO can identify your personal cancer risk. If a high risk is found, the PrecisionDx Report will provide recommendations for next steps. Dr. Feller also notes, “When we combine those three things, it turns out we miss like 1% or less of clinically significant prostate cancers, so we decrease the blind spots of each of these tests by combining them.”

Too many men are diagnosed too late. When detected early, the 5-year survival rate for men diagnosed with prostate cancer is greater than 99%. Cancer that is diagnosed earlier requires less invasive surgery and treatment for improved outcomes.

Prostate cancer is highly treatable, and with the appropriate education around the steps towards early detection with precision diagnostics, most men can continue to lead active, healthy lives many years after diagnosis.

#prostatecancerawareness #menshealth #genetictesting #screeningsaveslives #earlydetection

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