PCA3 DETECTION TEST FOR PROSTATE CANCER DO YOU KNOW YOUR RISK OF HAVING CANCER?

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1 PCA3 DETECTION TEST FOR PROSTATE CANCER DO YOU KNOW YOUR RISK OF HAVING CANCER?

2 PCA3 DETECTION TEST FOR PROSTATE CANCER There is a range of methods available to your healthcare professional to verify the health of your prostate. This brochure describes the PCA3 test used for the detection of prostate cancer. This test does not provide a final diagnosis on the health of your prostate, but it allows you to better know your risk of having prostate cancer. WHY CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR? Because you are a man of 40 years old and over Because you have an abnormal PSA result Because you have one of the symptoms listed below WHAT ARE THE OBSERVED SYMPTOMS? More frequent urination (day and night) Difficulty in starting or stopping urination WHAT % OF MEN WILL DEVELOP PROSTATE CANCER? According to statistics, 1 in 8 men develops cancerous cells and suffers from prostate cancer. The risk increases with age and for the majority of men, no symptoms are observed. DO YOU KNOW YOUR RISK LEVEL? The PCA3 test allows you to know your result, in other words, to know your risk of having or developing prostate cancer. Ask your doctor for a prescription for the PCA3 test.

3 WHAT IS PROSTATE CANCER? Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in Canadian men. Prostate cancer usually consists of several primary tumours located in the prostate. If untreated, prostate cancer cells may continue to grow and can spread to other parts of the body and produce secondary tumours (metastases). Prostate cancer usually grows slowly and can often be cured or managed successfully. There is no single cause of prostate cancer, but some factors appear to increase the risk of developing it, such as family history and a high fat diet. THE PROSTATE, ITS FUNCTIONS AND DISEASES The prostate is an organ in the male reproductive system. It is a spherical gland, the size of a walnut, located below the bladder and in front of the rectum. This gland is surrounded by the urethra, which is the tube that transports urine from the bladder to the end of the penis. The primary function of the prostate is the production of a whitish fluid for semen. The prostate also plays a part in controlling the flow of urine. In addition, the prostate produces a protein called prostate specific antigen (PSA). A significant portion of prostate-related symptoms are associated with non-cancerous conditions and may cause unfounded concerns for prostate cancer. Some of the symptoms of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) and Prostatitis are similar to those of prostate cancer. It is therefore important to consult a doctor. WHAT IS BENIGN PROSTATIC HYPERPLASIA (BPH)? BPH is a non-cancerous ( benign ) growth ( hyperplasia ) of the prostate. Prostate enlargement is a phenomenon that occurs with aging in the majority of men. BPH symptoms are mainly urinary symptoms. WHAT IS PROSTATITIS? Prostatitis is an infection or inflammation of the prostate. Prostatitis can cause significant increases in PSA levels. Twenty-five percent of men that have urinary problems have prostatitis. The two forms of prostatitis, acute and chronic, can be treated with antibiotics.

4 HOW IS PROSTATE CANCER DIAGNOSED? Detection of this cancer for men aged 40 years and over is currently performed by measuring the PSA level in the blood combined with a digital rectal exam. Today, there is a new method to help diagnose prostate cancer. Since 2006, this test is available in Europe and now it is available in the Unites States. It is with great pleasure that Warnex Medical Laboratories introduces the PCA3 test to the Canadian market. WHAT IS PCA3? The PCA3 test is a new test offered to the medical community to improve the detection level of prostate cancer. It uses a genetic marker that detects the prostate cancer gene 3, which is involved in the development of prostate cancer. The PCA3 test is more specific than all other available tests for the detection of prostate cancer. HOW CAN THE PCA3 TEST HELP ME? It will help me know my risk level of having prostate cancer. This information will be useful and of utmost importance for my doctor s decisions regarding my healthcare. WHEN SHOULD I BE TESTED FOR PCA3? When you have an abnormal PSA level, with or without a negative biopsy result If you have already had a negative biopsy result If you have a high cancer risk, even if you have a low PSA level To monitor your health, even if you have already had treatment (surgery or radiation) for prostate cancer WHY ASK FOR THE PCA3 TEST? High specificity for prostate cancer Reliability of the test, correlation with positive biopsies Non invasive test performed on a urine sample

5 UNDERSTANDING YOUR RESULTS The PCA3 test can provide you with useful information regarding the state of your prostate. However, it is important to remember that this test does not provide a final diagnosis. The results received by your doctor will inform you on your risk (high or low) of developing cancerous cells and having prostate cancer. Low RISK It means that your PCA3 result in lower than the established limit, then the result is interpreted as being a low risk to have a prostate cancer. High RISK It means that your PCA3 result is equal or higher than the established limit, then the result is interpreted as being a high risk to have a prostate cancer. Ask your doctor for a prescription of the PCA3 detection test from Warnex

6 PCA3 TEST FOR PROSTATE CANCER Laboratory analysis PRICE PCA3 $ Result: 10 working days following the receipt of your sample. CONTACT US AT Warnex Medical Laboratories ( ext. 227 ( ext. 227 (Toll-free) * labmed@warnex.ca