Health experts: Routine PSA tests for prostate cancer not good for health

[pickel]

Health experts: Routine PSA tests for prostate cancer not good for health - CBS News

Most men told to skip PSA test | StarTribune.com



The problem is that in contrast to the small benefits, a significant number of men will be harmed by the test and treatments that follow prostate cancer screening," he said to CBS News.

The task force said:

The PSA is unreliable, giving a falsely positive result 80 percent of the time.

Prostate cancer is typically diagnosed in older men, and the disease usually progresses so slowly they die of something else.

[Steve R Jones]

The PSA is unreliable, giving a falsely positive result 80 percent of the time.

After doing several PSA tests - its ALWAYS followed by a BIOPSY. Even after a biopsy, it's hard to tell which category you fall under-> "two-thirds of cases are slow growing, the other third more aggressive and fast developing."

These reports that were released are going over like a lead balloon at the prostate cancer support group I belong too

If PC is the second most deadly cancer (after lung cancer) that men face - do you really want to roll the dice?

[Chuckiechan]

I think it has to do with Obamacare. They see a death within 5 or 10 years after age 65 as "natural", and have a financial motivation to treat it as an aspect of "aging".

I mentioned it to my urologist and he said while they are working on better diagnostics, the first PSA that indicates a biopsy is necessary is the most important.

After that, it's pretty hit and miss. But there will be more deaths due to fewer biopsies.

[Steve R Jones]

Part of the deal is that "PC" grows so slow... It can start growing for 10 to 20 years before it even affects the PSA numbers.

[tony_j15]

I think it has to do with Obamacare. They see a death within 5 or 10 years after age 65 as "natural", and have a financial motivation to treat it as an aspect of "aging".

You seriously don't believe that, do you?