The US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF), an influential panel whose recommendations often have widespread implications, recently made a new recommendation about screening healthy men for prostate cancer. They now recommend against using the PSA test to screen for prostate cancer in healthy men of any age.
The USPSTF had previously recommended against screening men aged 75 or over for prostate cancer. The recommendation now extends to all healthy men regardless of age.
The panel's recommendation was published recently in the Annals of Internal Medicine. The panel's members stated that they could not find enough scientific evidence documenting reduced prostate cancer mortality from widespread prostate cancer screening.
They also said that they found much evidence of adverse consequences arising from widespread screening - such as unnecessary prostate biopsies or the detection and treatment of cancers which would never have resulted in death or significant problems.
The panel's recommendations have already been met with fierce criticism from a number of groups including the American Urological Association and many prominent prostate cancer physicians.
Undoubtedly, there is much more to come regarding this controversial recommendation.
The “list” of names of the panel that says to NOT screen for prostate cancer needs to be published, so the widows & families of men who needless die of prostate cancer can sue them. Aren’t these the same folks suggesting women should hold off to age 50 on mamograms?
I’m a prostate cancer survior of 2.5 years, because the PSA test correctly identified cancer. If I had delayed one year, the cancer would have been out of the prostate as it was growing rapidly. Once out, chances of survival diminish. Early detection is critical in treatment of cancer.
Ask every male member if they will forgo PSA tests and require their doctor to NOT perform testing on their sons. The panel is so wrong on this issue.
EARLY DETECTION is key in fighting cancer. The best way to fight it is what we all should be doing.
This is a really stupid move. The PSA was on the mark with me. It saved me a huge amount of trouble. I am Cancer free due to this test and treatment.
I smell a fish here. Could there be some Republican/Health Providers companies, just trying to save a buck? You get the message. YOUR correct let us know Names, when we will investigate their association with Big Health Care companies.
I can’t understand why the Task Force wants to deprive men of knowledge about what’s going on with their bodies. The PSA tests do not force a person to have further treatment but they do alert them to a potential problem early on. PSA testing caught my cancer in stage 1, before it was palpable. I elected surgery and remain cancer free 2.5 years later. By abandoning the test, the Task Force is sending a message that prostate cancer can be ignored until the doctor feels it in a rectal exam. By that point, the tumor can be advanced.
PROSTATE CANCER IS VERY BAD.
The PSA test is unrelable, and the cause for needless worry. The DRE is 12% effective in early detection, and 100% effective at spreading cancer if it is there. I have been in stage IV metastacized prostae cancer for 5 yrs. Went off conventional treatment a year ago, and had the lowest PSA level ever a week ago, after using Turkey Tail mushrooms for 3 mos.
For a list of Council members go to:
http://www.ahrq.gov/about/council.htm