The test is offered through the firm’s network of specialised medical healthcare providers, who provide a pre-test consultation to explain the test's methodology and implications of any results to the patients
The test provides fast-track access to genetic cancer screening to identify men at increased risk of developing prostate cancer. (Credit: Business Wire)
UK-based genetic cancer and viral testing laboratory Oncologica has rolled out a new Prostatefocus cancer genetic screening test to detect prostate cancer in men.
According to the firm, the new genetic Prostatefocus screening test is a simple saliva-based self-sample collection kit.
The test is offered through Oncologica’s network of specialised medical healthcare providers, who provide a pre-test consultation to explain the test’s methodology and implications of any results to patients.
The self-sampling kit is provided by Oncologica’s Healthcare Partners, who may also arrange for clinic sample collection.
After returning the Prostatefocus sample to Oncologica’s UKAS-accredited laboratory for genetic analysis, the company makes the findings accessible seven days after receiving them.
If abnormalities are found, the healthcare partner will schedule a post-test follow-up to go through the results with the patient, the implications on the patient’s chance of getting prostate cancer, and what to do next.
The firm said the use of the test can reduce the burden on NHS waiting lists for screening checks.
Oncologica co-owner and scientific director Dr Marco Loddo said: “Better treatments have improved survival from the disease, but accurate screening for prostate cancer has proven difficult.
“Prostate cancer tends to grow slowly without symptoms, so men often present late with advanced incurable disease.”
Dr Loddo added: “Identifying men at high risk of developing prostate cancer means regular checks can take place so that if the disease develops at some stage during their lifetime it is picked up early.”
The new Prostatefocus Genetic Cancer Screening test is available via the website of Oncologica’s Healthcare Providers.
Oncologica is a precision cancer medicine, infectious diseases, and genomic contract research laboratory.
Last month, the company launched a new IgE antibody test, called Allergyfocus, to detect 99% of allergens from a finger prick blood sample.