U.S. Advisers Say 'No' to Routine PSA Tests for Prostate Cancer

mlurp · #1 (**permalink**) 05-22-2012, 12:34 PM

Man I keep avoiding being probed in such a sensitive area.. I want the Psa Test to show there is a real need to allow for the 36' of flex cable to be used.

Quote:

..U.S. Advisers Say 'No' to Routine PSA Tests for Prostate Cancer

By By Maureen Salamon

HealthDay Reporter | HealthDay – 1 hr 12 mins ago...

MONDAY, May 21 (HealthDay News) -- In a highly anticipated move sure to unleash heated debate, a prominent U.S. government advisory panel is recommending that men of all ages no longer be screened for prostate cancer by undergoing the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test.

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, an independent group of medical experts in prevention and evidence-based medicine, said PSA screening results in overdiagnosis of prostate cancer and unnecessary treatment that can leave men impotent and incontinent.

This final recommendation comes seven months after the task force drafted a report giving a "D" rating for the PSA blood test. Previous guidelines had stated that most men should undergo screening beginning at age 50.

"Some may say that by rating the test a 'D' we're taking away the possibility of an informed decision, but we don't want that to be the case," said task force co-vice chair Dr. Michael LeFevre, a professor in the department of family and community medicine at the University of Missouri School of Medicine. "This decision does not preclude a man choosing to be screened."

The task force is the same panel that in 2009 rejected regular mammograms for women in their 40s, after also concluding the benefits don't outweigh the harms.

The new recommendation is published online May 22 in the journal Annals of Internal Medicine.

About 242,000 new cases of prostate cancer will be diagnosed in Americans this year, and about 28,000 will die from it, according to the U.S. National Cancer Institute. More than two-thirds of those deaths occur after age 75, the task force said.

PSA tests -- which measure prostate-specific antigen, a protein produced by the prostate gland -- can detect which men are developing the malignancy. But they cannot discern between cases that will never become life-threatening and those that require treatment, such as surgery, radiation or hormone therapy.

Basing its recommendation mainly on two major trials of PSA testing in asymptomatic men in the United States and Europe, the task force concluded screening may only help one man in every 1,000 to avoid dying from prostate cancer. Up to five in 1,000 men will die within a month of prostate cancer surgery, the panel said, and between 10 and 70 per 1,000 men will suffer lifelong adverse effects, such as urinary incontinence, erectile dysfunction and bowel dysfunction.

Many will also suffer unduly from persistent anxiety, the report said.

+++++++++++++++++++ CONTINUED +++++++++++++++++++++

U.S. Advisers Say 'No' to Routine PSA Tests for Prostate Cancer - Yahoo! News

1,068 comments.

saltwn · #2 (**permalink**) 05-22-2012, 12:58 PM

Oh I've been reading about this elsewhere. Many men and women have come out and said this is hog wash medicine. Here are some of my comments from a news site:

Quote:

My husband was saved extensive life altering surgery by a PSA test. The physical exam did not indicate cancer. Thank God he had the follow up PSA test which indicated he was almost second stage prostate cancer. He had seed implants after some other preliminary therapy and is cancer free today without a Foley catheter or any surgery.

in reply to someone's "anecdotal evidence" charge:

Quote:

Ask them at the VA; they are the ones who first detected my spouse's baseline and elevated PSA. They see a lot of men and I believe they know what works. The PA insisted on a physical exam which did not indicate problems then she insisted on a PSA and follow up PSA. He ended up having therapy with a private urologist, but the VA has been treating mostly men and a vast amount of them for enough years I trust their methods on routine testing for all things male.

in reply to the doctor's saying this is a slow cancer blah blah blah:

Quote:

my husband got the test which pointed him to further testing; a family friend did not and had his testicles removed this year. Depends on what they mean when they say you can "live" with this cancer.

Many commentators stated this test saved their life or quality of life, and many commented on the fact this revelation was announced by a woman pediatrician.

mlurp · #3 (**permalink**) 05-22-2012, 01:24 PM

So the PSA tests are the way to go?

saltwn · #4 (**permalink**) 05-22-2012, 02:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mlurp

So the PSA tests are the way to go?

Rectal digital (finger) exam and a psa followed by another psa in a few weeks or whenever the doc says is a good time.

MrLiberty · #5 (**permalink**) 05-23-2012, 09:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by saltwn

Rectal digital (finger) exam and a psa followed by another psa in a few weeks or whenever the doc says is a good time.

not without a marriage license and ring first.........

saltwn · #6 (**permalink**) 05-23-2012, 12:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrLiberty

not without a marriage license and ring first.........

Almost the exact words of our friend in Florida who had his testicle removal surgery this year.

mlurp · #7 (**permalink**) 05-24-2012, 01:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by saltwn

Rectal digital (finger) exam and a psa followed by another psa in a few weeks or whenever the doc says is a good time.

I hope my new doctor has plenty of lube for that finger as I kind of pucker up when someone tells me to drop your pants and bend over.

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrLiberty

not without a marriage license and ring first.........

Not with a male doctor, maybe $500.00 and a lolly pop,

Man I am a cheap date.

MrLiberty · #8 (**permalink**) 05-24-2012, 02:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mlurp

I hope my new doctor has plenty of lube for that finger as I kind of pucker up when someone tells me to drop your pants and bend over.

Not with a male doctor, maybe $500.00 and a lolly pop,
Man I am a cheap date.

I thought you'd be use to that being in the military.

$500.00 and a quart of Jack Daniels, maybe..........................

mlurp · #9 (**permalink**) 05-24-2012, 02:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrLiberty

I thought you'd be use to that being in the military.

$500.00 and a quart of Jack Daniels, maybe..........................

I was in the old Army...

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

The Following User Says Thank You to saltwn For This Useful Post:
mlurp

The Following User Says Thank You to mlurp For This Useful Post:
MrLiberty