After an expert panel concluded in 2012 that the prostate-specific antigen test (PSA) does more harm than good, the number of men getting screened and receiving prostate cancer diagnoses has declined sharply.
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According to the panel, the simple blood test ends up saving very few lives, and instead prompts unnecessary surgery and radiation, which can lead to side effects among men who would never die from the cancer itself. Fifty percent of men who have surgery or radiation experience impotence or urinary incontinence, and some even have bowel problems.
Some cancer and urology groups are now recommending a less absolute position on routine screening, instead recommending “selective” PSA testing for men at high risk for the disease, including African Americans and men with a family history of the disease.
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The author of the study, Otis Brawley, chief medical officer for the American Cancer Society, believes the decline is a positive sign if it means that more doctors and patients are discussing the pros and cons of the screening and making decisions together.
While selective PSA testing is not a perfect solution, hopefully it will accelerate the development of personalized screening strategies that are more tailored to a man’s individual risk and preferences.
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Curated article from:
Washington Post
