Prostate Cancer Screening Controversy Continues


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The debate continues over Prostate Cancer Screening tests and the new opinion is that screening with the PSA ( prostate specific antigen) may prevent 17,000 advanced cases yearly.

The problem with screening is how to proceed going forward if cancer is detected.

Watchful waiting or invasive treatments which may cause serious side effects are often the choice.

Many times the cancer is slow growing and would never had been detected as there are often no symptoms.

Last year, an influential organization called the U.S. Services Preventive Task Force (USPSTF) recommended against prostate cancer screening altogether, saying its harms outweigh its benefits.

Recent studies on the topic have also had conflicting results, with some suggesting prostate cancer screening saves lives, and others finding no benefit.

The researchers say their new findings should be taken into consideration when creating PSA screening recommendations.

“There are trade-offs associated with the PSA test, and many factors influence the disease outcome,” said study researcher Dr. Edward Messing, chairman of urology at the University of Rochester Medical Center. “And yet our data are very clear: not doing the PSA test will result in many men presenting with far more advanced prostate cancer.”

Routine PSA Tests For Men Rejected By Expert Panel

The definitive answer is in on regular PSA screening for men.

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force suggests that the prostate-specific antigen test is not providing ample benefit and the risks of population-wide screening outweigh the benefits.

The test, which measures a protein in the blood, does not diagnose cancer. It looks for a tell-tale sign that cancer may be present. (The other commonly used technique, a DRE, or digital rectal exam, is used by doctors to feel for prostate abnormalities that have already become palpable.) A positive test usually kicks off a series of events such as a confirming biopsy, and then treatments including surgery, radiation, chemotherapy and hormone deprivation.
Because the test often results in false positives, and because it can’t tell how aggressive or benign a cancer may be, doctors and patients are often in the dark about whether the tumor requires treatment. So, out of caution, most men with positive PSA tests are biopsied and, if cancer is found, treated.
“Thus,” the task force stated, “many men are being subjected to the harms of treatment of prostate cancer that will never become symptomatic. PSA-based screening for prostate cancer results in considerable overtreatment and its associated harms.”

This decision, however, is met with controversy and you should always consult with your physician.

All cases are different and mitigating circumstances come into play with the health of each individual.

The Debate Over Prostate Cancer Treatment

It is estimated that 30-40 percent of men over 50 years old will be affected by prostate cancer, however, there is some debate in the medical community regarding which course of action is best going forward.

Routine monitoring of PSA (Prostate Specific Antigen) may reveal false- positive, and positive results which may later lead to unnecessary and often harmful treatment.

Elevated levels of this protein can indicate prostate cancer, but it can be caused by other things as well..

Several studies have suggested many men are over-screened for prostate cancer, and this over-screening has in many cases caused more harm than good, leading men to chose a biopsy and treatment for a slow-growing cancer that may have never caused them harm during their lifetimes.

Alternative strategies for men with low-risk prostate cancer typically fall into two camps: observation with and without the intent to cure.

Do get a second opinion when treating your condition and consult your physician for the best course of action for your case.

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