Should You Have a PSA Prostate Cancer Screening Test?
Posted on August 26, 2008
Most men of a certain age have heard of the PSA blood test. The PSA, or Prostate Specific Antigen, test detects levels of PSA in a patient’s blood. Higher levels increase the probability of prostate cancer but are not diagnostic of cancer.
If the PSA test indicates a higher probability of prostate cancer, then usually a series of biopsies are taken of the prostate. If cancer is found, then some form of treatment is usually started. The treatments for localized or early prostate cancer include surgery, radiotherapy (both internal and external), and ultrasound (in some parts of the world).
THE CRITICAL QUESTION IN THE PSA PARADIGM
The critical question in the whole PSA screening paradigm is whether or not the screening saves lives. It is well known that there are significant side effects to treatment including erectile dysfunction, incontinence, rectal problems. and even death.
Just recently, The US Preventative Services Task Force issued it’s latest recommendations concerning the PSA blood test.
The Task Force recommended that screening not be recommended for men over age 75 since there is no proof that treating a prostate cancer at that point will increase life expectancy and the side effects of treatment are significant. The Task Force also recommended that there is no conclusion about screening in men under 75.
The task force’s recommendations are accessible on the website of the magazine, at annals.org.
The essence of the debate is that the significant side effects take place right away whereas the potential benefits of increased life expectancy mainly prove to be of benefit to patients with long life expectancies. Many prostate cancers are extremely slow growing and patients often die of another cause.
While further data is awaited to judge the benefit of PSA screening in men under age 75, it is fair to say that the decision is a personal one that should be discussed with every patient.
There are men over 75 who may be in great shape with longer life expectancies than 10 years who may decide that the PSA test is potentially of benefit to them. As opposed to the recommendations of the Task Force, The American Cancer Society Guidelines say screening should be offered to men over 50 with a life expectancy of at least 10 years with a full explanation of the pros and cons.
So, ultimately you should discuss PSA screening with your doctor and see whether it makes sense for you.
Dr. Glenn Sheiner is a medical doctor with diplomas in Emergency Medicine, Sports Medicine, and Family Medicine.
Dr. Sheiner is the author of the medical multimedia digital product called Cancer Research Online Made Easy which you can read for FREE online at CANCER RESEARCH ONLINE MADE EASY.
Dr. Sheiner created this product to help patients research cutting-edge medical information in hours not days. The FREE Ebook contains 5 videos illustrating exactly what to do.
To learn more about prostate cancer go to Prostate Cancer Information.
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