Yet another study, this one done by researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, has found that annual PSA screening does not lower the likelihood of death from prostate cancer. The new study extended the time from the beginning of annual screenings from the 7 to 10 years of earlier studies to 13 years, and looked for a benefit for younger men, men in the 50s and 60s. It found none.
“The data confirm that for most men, it is not necessary to be screened annually for prostate cancer,†said principal investigator Gerald Andriole, MD, chief urologic surgeon at the Siteman Cancer Center at Barnes-Jewish Hospital and Washington University School of Medicine. “A large majority of the cancers we found are slow-growing tumors that are unlikely to be deadly.â€Â
“Based on our updated results with nearly all men followed for 10 years and more than half for 13 years, we are learning that only the youngest men  those with the longest life expectancy  are apt to benefit from screening,” Andriole said in a news release. “We need to modify our current practices and stop screening elderly men and those with a limited life expectancy. Instead, we need to take a more targeted approach and selectively screen men who are young and healthy and particularly those at high risk for prostate cancer, including African-Americans and those with a family history of the disease.â€Â
Andriole recommends that men get a baseline PSA test in their early 40s because recent studies have indicated that elevated levels at that age can predict the risk of prostate cancer in later years. Men in their 40s with low PSA levels are very unlikely to develop lethal prostate cancer and could potentially avoid additional testing.
Read more in a news release from Washington University School of Medicine.
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If not for the PSA Test,and then biopsy. I would not be here now! I was 58 at the time. they removed the cancer just in time. I Have been cancer free for 2 years now and am just fine.
You also fail to state that there is a fast growing
prostate cancer also!
At 62 my screening showed a high PSA. A biopsy proved I had a fast growing cancer, I was around a stage 3 – 4 to later for surgery to rid me of the disease. If it had not been for the PSA testing I don’t believe that I’d be live today.
Funny to me this article has no merrit, It’s not even worth the arguement! I question the source of the data and the intent of publishing rubbish. I am in my 40’s and while I am greatfull for my health I know several collegues who are a bit older but the screening saved their lives.
I agree this article is utter nonsense,I will be turning 60 in March of 2012 an increase in my PSA level from year to year and a subsequent biopsy showed the presence of cancer in stage 3 to 4 with radiation seed implantation as the treatment.Without the PSA test,would I have known what was going on inside my body or would I still be here among the living? Knowing is a beautiful thing.One of my Tennis buddies have been dead 5 years now at age 44 by not knowing.
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