The La Marató de TV3 Foundation promotes numerous research projects thanks to the solidarity of the public. The foundation and research centers will showcase these projects in the new edition of the initiative "Visit the Research of La Marató."

One of the projects funded by La Marató will be presented by researchers from the Girona Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBGI) during a visit to IDIBGI's facilities, open to the public.

This year, we are focusing on a project about non-invasive methodologies to improve the diagnosis of prostate cancer. A biopsy is a necessary test for the definitive diagnosis of prostate cancer, but it uses an invasive method for the patient that is sometimes inefficient and costly, as more than one biopsy may be required to reach a diagnosis. That’s why advancing the use of non-invasive methodologies for diagnosing prostate cancer is important, aiming to reduce the number of biopsies while maximizing patient quality of life and minimizing healthcare costs with the highest efficiency.

This research project studies two non-invasive methodologies to improve prostate cancer diagnosis, allowing patients with suspected more aggressive tumors to be treated faster and more effectively. It would also reduce the number of biopsies in patients with a low risk of significant tumors, thereby avoiding unnecessary treatments.

Dr. Josep Comet, researcher at IDIBGI and Head of the Urology Department at Dr. Josep Trueta Hospital, co-leads this research along with Dr. Esther Llop, a researcher at the University of Girona.