Description
Evaluation of Genetic Test Screening on Epidemiology of Prostate Cancer in Swaziland: A Systematic Study of Mutated Genes and Causal Factors
Fashoto, S.G.1, Akinnuwesi, B. A.2, & Owolabi, O.3
1Department of Computer Science University of Swaziland, Kwaluseni, Swaziland; 2Department of Computer Science, Lagos State University, Ojo, Lagos, Nigeria; 3Department of Computer Science, University of Abuja, Abuja, Nigeria
In Swaziland, the annual mortality rate per 100,000 people due to Prostate Cancer (PCa) increases at an average of 2.6% per year. One of the major reasons for this is the difficulty of PCa diagnosis at the early stages because, in many cases, its mutated genes are confused with the mutated genes of some other diseases. For example, to assess an individual's chance of having prostate cancer, a genetic test is carried out to see if there are any mutated genes such as HOXB13, BRCA1 and BRCA2, although BRCA1 and BRCA2 are also implicated in ovarian and breast cancer. Genetic testing for prostate cancer helps in screening to determine any molecular mutation that might be an indicator for the possible development of prostate cancer. This study will investigate the use of machine learning techniques to replace the most commonly used genetic test called prostate specific antigen (PSA), which is generally considered to be unreliable, to determine if the probability of an individual developing PCa could be detected early enough for possible management and treatment. We propose to investigate epidemiological status of PCa, with the view to establishing the PCa types, vis-à-vis the primary and secondary factors responsible for PCa cases in Swaziland. This study will also attempt to identify the symptoms, vis-à-vis the confusability of the mutated genes with other diseases and the medical diagnostic procedures adopted.