All articles tagged with #psa test
A updated Cochrane review, incorporating data from nearly 800,000 people and longer follow-up, suggests PSA-based prostate cancer screening likely reduces mortality and does not notably increase biopsy or treatment harms, reversing previous Cochrane findings from 2006 and 2013. The absolute benefit is small, and guidelines worldwide remain mixed due to concerns about overdiagnosis and overtreatment.
A large Cochrane review of six PSA screening trials (nearly 800,000 men) finds PSA testing can reduce prostate cancer deaths, but the absolute benefit is small (about 2 lives saved per 1,000 screened; 500 men need screening to prevent one death). Benefits emerge only with long follow-up, while many men face overdiagnosis and potential harms from treatment, such as incontinence or erectile dysfunction. The authors caution against universal screening and emphasize shared decision making, with targeted approaches for high-risk groups and ongoing development of MRI- and biomarker–based methods whose extra benefit remains uncertain.
A UK analysis of over 400,000 men finds PSA-based prostate cancer screening has low overdiagnosis risk in men in their 50s–60s but rises sharply after 70 due to higher competing mortality; 16% of PSA-detected cancers would not become clinically relevant within 15 years at age 50, rising to 32% at 70 and 58% at 80. Consequently, screening offers little net benefit for men over 70, though MRI-guided biopsy and ongoing trials may reduce harms from overdiagnosis; decisions should be individualized, especially for older men.
UK men face rising prostate cancer diagnoses while a National Screening Committee says broad PSA screening isn’t justified due to risks of overdiagnosis and overtreatment, even as awareness grows and access varies by socioeconomic status. The piece follows men like Bulteel, Pennington, Walsh and Hemans, illustrating how PSA testing can detect cancer early but also lead to difficult treatment paths (surgery, radiotherapy, hormone therapy) and significant emotional and relational strain, highlighting disparities in access and the push for targeted screening for at‑risk groups.
Prostate cancer often develops without noticeable early signs, but three bathroom-related warning signs—more frequent urination, straining to urinate, and a feeling of incomplete bladder emptying—along with other symptoms like weak urine flow or nocturia, highlight the importance of talking with a doctor about PSA screening for earlier detection and potentially better outcomes.
Croatia has announced a national prostate cancer screening programme offering annual PSA tests for men aged 55–69, set to begin next year, as the UK debates its own stance after the UK National Screening Committee’s cautious recommendation; early data show Croatia’s five-year survival is higher than Britain's, with several other countries piloting or planning routine PSA screenings.
Dr. Timothy Johnson, a former medical editor, revealed he is battling prostate cancer that was diagnosed after a PSA test, highlighting the importance of regular screening for men over 70, despite current guidelines advising against routine testing in this age group.
Travel writer Rick Steves was diagnosed with prostate cancer after a routine PSA test, leading him to undergo surgery and advocate for increased awareness and screening for prostate cancer, highlighting the importance of early detection and medical research.
A man from Ossett diagnosed with incurable prostate cancer in 2021 urges men to get checked early, highlighting the importance of PSA blood tests over traditional DRE exams, amid a national campaign to raise awareness and promote early detection of prostate cancer.
The article discusses the pros and cons of PSA testing for prostate cancer, emphasizing that while it can produce false positives leading to unnecessary procedures, careful testing and risk assessment can help identify high-risk cases and save lives. The author supports PSA screening for men aged 50-70 and suggests that digital rectal exams add little value and often result in false positives, but individual discussions with doctors are important.
Dr. Keith Roach discusses the importance of PSA tests and DREs in prostate cancer screening, emphasizing that PSA testing remains valuable for men aged 50-70 despite some controversy over false positives, and that DREs add limited diagnostic value but are still part of the screening conversation.
A cancer charity is advocating for prostate cancer screening for high-risk men aged 45 and over, citing economic benefits despite the lack of a national screening program in the UK. The current PSA test is criticized for its inaccuracy, as it can lead to overdiagnosis and unnecessary treatment of slow-growing cancers. While some experts argue for targeted screening, especially for black men and those with a family history, others highlight the psychological and physical harms of over-treatment. Ongoing research aims to improve screening methods, but results are years away.
Early research presented at the ASCO annual meeting suggests that at-home saliva tests are more accurate than standard PSA blood tests for identifying men with a high genetic risk of aggressive prostate cancer. The study, involving over 6,000 men, found that the saliva test gave fewer false positives and detected a higher proportion of aggressive cancers. This new method could lead to earlier diagnosis and save thousands of lives, while also reducing unnecessary treatments for those at lower risk. Further research is needed to confirm these findings before widespread implementation.
World-leading experts have proposed updated guidelines for prostate cancer screening, suggesting reduced frequency for some men from two to five years. The American Urological Association recommends screenings every two to four years, including an internal exam and a PSA blood test. Prostate cancer is common in men over 50, but determining who should be screened and how often is complex and varies based on age, race, and family history. New guidelines based on PSA levels suggest low-risk men should be screened every five years, while medium-risk should be screened every two years. Additional testing and treatment may be prescribed for high-risk individuals. Studies indicate that PSA testing alone has limited impact on reducing prostate cancer mortality, prompting the exploration of biomarker panels for more effective screening. Prostate cancer, often asymptomatic in its early stages, can be challenging to detect and is associated with various risk factors. Treatment options include prostatectomy for localized cancer.
A 15-year trial on prostate cancer screening using the PSA blood test found that while it had a small impact on reducing deaths, it also led to a worrying level of overdiagnosis, with one in six flagged cases being wrong. The study showed that the potential harms of the test, including unnecessary treatment and physical side effects, outweigh the benefits. Experts emphasize the need to find better ways to detect aggressive prostate cancers and are exploring alternatives such as MRI scans. The UK National Screening Committee does not currently recommend screening for prostate cancer due to the unclear balance between benefits and harms.