Assessing the influence of genetics on prostate cancer

Did you know that prostate cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed in Australia, and is the third most common cause of cancer death?*

Men often present with multiple symptoms such as pain, depression, and fatigue —either as a result of their disease, or the treatment of their disease—which can have a huge impact on their quality of lives and day to day activities.

Professor Janet Hardy and her research team at Mater Research are looking at the genetic basis of patients’ symptoms to see if they are genetically determined, and if so how patients can be diagnosed earlier.

In its early stages, this exciting project is focusing on 24 men with ‘castrate resistant prostate cancer’. These men will be followed over time, giving blood samples regularly which will be stored for analysis.

This important research aims to develop a diagnostic tool that would allow for patients who present with cancer to have a genetic analysis run, potentially enabling a personalised symptom management regimen to be created as early as possible.

Personalised symptom control could help patients manage their symptoms proactively, thus reducing their hospital admissions and the impact their cancer symptoms have on their lives.

Eventually, this symptom diagnosis could be expanded to other cancers; providing all cancer patients with the tools they need to alleviate symptoms that can often be extremely difficult for them to cope with.

By purchasing tickets in the Cars for Cancer lottery, you’re making a positive difference to the lives of thousands of people with cancer through investing in promising research happening right now at Mater.

*Source: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (2015)