It would be useful for men to understand the benefits and risks of the widely used PSA test for prostate cancer, and most people would expect those benefits and risks to be laid out clearly by a patient's physician. Alas, most people would be disappointed with the results of a telephone survey of more than 3,000 men over the age of 40 conducted by scientists at the University of New Mexico Cancer Center. The Los Angeles Times reports that the researchers found that 68 percent of the men recalled their physician giving them positive
information about the test, but only 31 percent recalled receiving negative
information. Only 55 percent were asked their preference about the
test — the rest simply accepted it. Only 14.4 percent rejected the test. A
full 58 percent of the men considered themselves well-informed about the test,
but 43 percent failed to correctly answer even one of three questions about
PSA testing:
Of every 100 men, how many do you think will die of prostate cancer? (Correct answer, 3.)
Of 100 men, about how many will be diagnosed with prostate cancer at some time during their lives? (17)
For every 100 times a PSA result suggests the need for further
testing, about how many times does it turn out to be cancer? (25)
Most men overestimated the risks of diagnosis and death from prostate cancer and the accuracy of the PSA test.
The newspaper reminds us that two large clinical trials recently showed that the test does not reduce mortality from
cancer, but it does increase the number of invasive procedures looking
for tumors and the likelihood of adverse events from diagnosis and
treatment, including incontinence and impotence.
>>The newspaper reminds us that two large clinical trials recently showed that the test does not reduce mortality from cancer, but it does increase the number of invasive procedures looking for tumors and the likelihood of adverse events from diagnosis and treatment, including incontinence and impotence << Is it even safe to go to the doctor any more? I'm starting to think that between over medicating us and being a little too ready to cut us open, doctors are a health risk.
I have had two biopsys (that is a total of twenty four bites taken out of my prostate and still no cancer showing up except for PSA levels which have gone up and down on two different occasions. In spite of these results, my doctor called me to tell me I should come in for a third biopsy and I told him “no thanks”. Of course I don’t know what the future holds in store, but I do not plan to have another biopsy unless it becomes obvious from other reasons that it is called for.
James..I’ve had the same deal…a PSA test that went from 1 to 4 in two years. I read up on the test after my biopsy and learned that the doctor should have waited a few weeks and had me re-tested. The Urologist who did the biopsy said I didn’t even have a enlarged prostate !
Although PSA screening eradicated advanced prostate cancer from the population, there was a downside.
According to Welch’s report in August JNCI, one million men were overdiagnosed and overtreated for prostate cancer over the last twenty years.
Why was PSA Screening for Prostate Cancer, a 20 year failed Medical Experiment ? Get the whole story here…
http://jeffreydach.com/2009/10/01/psa-testing-the-failed-medical-experiment-by-jeffrey-dach-md.aspx
Although PSA screening eradicated advanced prostate cancer from the population, there was a downside.
According to Welch’s report in August JNCI, one million men were overdiagnosed and overtreated for prostate cancer over the last twenty years.
Why was PSA Screening for Prostate Cancer, a 20 year failed Medical Experiment ? Get the whole story here…
http://jeffreydach.com/2009/10/01/psa-testing-the-failed-medical-experiment-by-jeffrey-dach-md.aspx