A new study, to be published in the journal of Endocrine-Related Cancer, examines the use of human seminal fluid for the detection of prostate cancer. The research team at the University of Adelaide notes an over-diagnosis of prostate cancer using the prostate specific antigen (PSA) blood test and digital rectal examination. PSA is not cancer-specific, but is indicative of prostate cancer. As a result, treatment in every case of PSA results in many people with a benign condition unnecessarily undergoing surgery and cancer treatment.

Medical News Today details the study’s use of semen, instead of blood, from 60 men. Researchers found small molecules called microRNAs that were significantly more accurate in the identification of prostate cancer and its severity. Where PSA would indicate cancer  in non-cancerous conditions such as prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and prostatitis, this test has the potential to identify those conditions as non-cancerous.

Additionally,  specific microRNA  may be the key to distinguishing higher grade tumors from the lower grades, given that microRNAs are small non-coding molecules important for controlling gene expression. The research team plans to work on using microRNAs for other bodily fluids.

In 2012, the U.S. Preventative Services Task Force decided to stop recommending PSA screening for men of any age. However, Medicare still continues to reimburse for this test and any subsequent procedures deemed medically necessary. In addition, the National Cancer Institute states that prostate cancer is most common in older men, forming in the prostate in a gland below the bladder and in front of the rectum.  In 2013 alone, there were more than 238,000 new cases of prostate cancer and more than 29,000 deaths.