The PSA Controversy
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• Page 1 of 1
The PSA Controversy
by SteveH » Tue Jan 03, 2012 11:09 pm
The PSA Controversy
In the past few months, there have been many media reports discussing the validity of a prostate specific antigen (PSA) test – a simple blood test that may help men and their doctors assess the risk of developing prostate cancer through early detection.
Prostate Cancer Canada is a strong supporter of PSA testing as one form of early detection. We suggest that men and their doctors take the time to discuss the merits of the PSA test, followed by a digital rectal examination (DRE). We strongly recommend that men over 40 establish a baseline PSA value and men over 50 consider annual or semi-annual PSA monitoring.
Like most cancer diagnostic tools, the PSA blood test comes with its pros and cons. We believe that men deserve the right to make their own decisions regarding their health – even if that decision is to forego or delay treatment. Without regular PSA blood tests and DRE’s, it is impossible to make an informed decision assessing the likelihood of cancer.
The usefulness of the PSA test will continue to be debated in political and medical circles. However, men should be aware of the facts and take into account age, risk factors and general health. Learn more about the PSA test.
Prostate Cancer Canada is the only national foundation dedicated to the elimination of this disease through research, education, support and awareness.
http://www.whatsyournumber.info/
In the past few months, there have been many media reports discussing the validity of a prostate specific antigen (PSA) test – a simple blood test that may help men and their doctors assess the risk of developing prostate cancer through early detection.
Prostate Cancer Canada is a strong supporter of PSA testing as one form of early detection. We suggest that men and their doctors take the time to discuss the merits of the PSA test, followed by a digital rectal examination (DRE). We strongly recommend that men over 40 establish a baseline PSA value and men over 50 consider annual or semi-annual PSA monitoring.
Like most cancer diagnostic tools, the PSA blood test comes with its pros and cons. We believe that men deserve the right to make their own decisions regarding their health – even if that decision is to forego or delay treatment. Without regular PSA blood tests and DRE’s, it is impossible to make an informed decision assessing the likelihood of cancer.
The usefulness of the PSA test will continue to be debated in political and medical circles. However, men should be aware of the facts and take into account age, risk factors and general health. Learn more about the PSA test.
Prostate Cancer Canada is the only national foundation dedicated to the elimination of this disease through research, education, support and awareness.
http://www.whatsyournumber.info/
Re: The PSA Controversy
by SteveH » Mon Jan 09, 2012 3:59 pm
Here is an update from Prostate Cancer Canada
==================
PCC's Early Detection Guidelines HERE (PDF)
** These guidelines were approved by the PCC SMAC and the Canadian Urologist Association Patient Information Committee.
Update on Prostate Cancer Canada position on PSA testing - October 2011
The United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) has recently recommended against the use of prostate specific antigen (PSA) to screen for prostate cancer in asymptomatic men. In light of this development, Prostate Cancer Canada (PCC) wishes to clarify its position on PSA testing. PCC continues to support and recommend PSA testing for the early detection of prostate cancer. PCC emphasizes that, applied appropriately, PSA is a useful test. A full discussion with the patient on the pros and cons of PSA testing should continue to be an integral part of patient management.
The USPSTF based their recommendation in part on the U.S. figure that 90% of screen-detected cancers are treated, mostly with radical prostatectomy or radiotherapy. In Canada, selective treatment using active surveillance, with delayed treatment if and when necessary, has been widely adopted by physicians and accepted by patients for those with ‘low risk’ prostate cancer. Thus the problem of over-treatment has been substantially reduced. PCC believes that, in contrast, early detection of intermediate and high risk prostate cancer saves lives and is of considerable benefit to the patient.
Another USPSTF recommendation was that “community-based and employer-based screening that does not allow informed choice should be discontinued”. The Patient and Public Education Committee of PCC wishes to emphasize that such screening practices have generally not been prevalent in Canada. Many U.S. institutions also based their decisions to perform prostate biopsy on a lower cut-off PSA level (often as low as 2.0 - 2.5 ng.ml), a practice which is not widespread in Canada.
Shared decision making between patients and physicians is a fundamental concept in Canadian medical practice.
Therefore, PCC maintains that PSA, when applied appropriately, is a useful test. By facilitating early diagnosis, it reduces the risk of dying of prostate cancer, at an acceptable cost in terms of side effects. Men should be encouraged to obtain information about the risks and benefits of the PSA testing and physicians should be prepared to provide such information.
What’s your PSA Number?
Without a PSA number, you and your doctor will not benefit from the ability to calculate your risk of prostate cancer. Ask your doctor to calculate your risk using available tools.
Prostate Cancer Canada advises men and their doctors take the time to discuss the merits of prostate specific antigen (PSA) blood testing followed by a digital rectal examination (DRE) for early detection of prostate cancer. PCC strongly recommends that men over 40 establish a baseline PSA value and men over 50 consider annual or semiannual PSA monitoring.
The prostate specific antigen (PSA) test is a simple blood test that can help men and their doctors assess the risk of developing prostate cancer through early detection.
Educate yourself
Like most cancer diagnostic tools, the PSA blood test comes with its pros and cons; however, men deserve the right to make their own informed decisions regarding the state of their health – even if that decision is to forego or delay treatment. Informed decisions are impossible, however, without regular PSA blood tests and digital rectal examinations (DRE) to assess the likelihood of cancer. The usefulness of the PSA test has been debated in medical and political circles for some time. Men should be aware of the pros and cons and take into account age, risk factors and general health when deciding whether to take the test.
http://www.prostatecancer.ca/Prostate-C ... ostate/PSA
==================
PCC's Early Detection Guidelines HERE (PDF)
** These guidelines were approved by the PCC SMAC and the Canadian Urologist Association Patient Information Committee.
Update on Prostate Cancer Canada position on PSA testing - October 2011
The United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) has recently recommended against the use of prostate specific antigen (PSA) to screen for prostate cancer in asymptomatic men. In light of this development, Prostate Cancer Canada (PCC) wishes to clarify its position on PSA testing. PCC continues to support and recommend PSA testing for the early detection of prostate cancer. PCC emphasizes that, applied appropriately, PSA is a useful test. A full discussion with the patient on the pros and cons of PSA testing should continue to be an integral part of patient management.
The USPSTF based their recommendation in part on the U.S. figure that 90% of screen-detected cancers are treated, mostly with radical prostatectomy or radiotherapy. In Canada, selective treatment using active surveillance, with delayed treatment if and when necessary, has been widely adopted by physicians and accepted by patients for those with ‘low risk’ prostate cancer. Thus the problem of over-treatment has been substantially reduced. PCC believes that, in contrast, early detection of intermediate and high risk prostate cancer saves lives and is of considerable benefit to the patient.
Another USPSTF recommendation was that “community-based and employer-based screening that does not allow informed choice should be discontinued”. The Patient and Public Education Committee of PCC wishes to emphasize that such screening practices have generally not been prevalent in Canada. Many U.S. institutions also based their decisions to perform prostate biopsy on a lower cut-off PSA level (often as low as 2.0 - 2.5 ng.ml), a practice which is not widespread in Canada.
Shared decision making between patients and physicians is a fundamental concept in Canadian medical practice.
Therefore, PCC maintains that PSA, when applied appropriately, is a useful test. By facilitating early diagnosis, it reduces the risk of dying of prostate cancer, at an acceptable cost in terms of side effects. Men should be encouraged to obtain information about the risks and benefits of the PSA testing and physicians should be prepared to provide such information.
What’s your PSA Number?
Without a PSA number, you and your doctor will not benefit from the ability to calculate your risk of prostate cancer. Ask your doctor to calculate your risk using available tools.
Prostate Cancer Canada advises men and their doctors take the time to discuss the merits of prostate specific antigen (PSA) blood testing followed by a digital rectal examination (DRE) for early detection of prostate cancer. PCC strongly recommends that men over 40 establish a baseline PSA value and men over 50 consider annual or semiannual PSA monitoring.
The prostate specific antigen (PSA) test is a simple blood test that can help men and their doctors assess the risk of developing prostate cancer through early detection.
Educate yourself
Like most cancer diagnostic tools, the PSA blood test comes with its pros and cons; however, men deserve the right to make their own informed decisions regarding the state of their health – even if that decision is to forego or delay treatment. Informed decisions are impossible, however, without regular PSA blood tests and digital rectal examinations (DRE) to assess the likelihood of cancer. The usefulness of the PSA test has been debated in medical and political circles for some time. Men should be aware of the pros and cons and take into account age, risk factors and general health when deciding whether to take the test.
http://www.prostatecancer.ca/Prostate-C ... ostate/PSA
Re: The PSA Controversy
by SteveH » Wed Jul 24, 2013 1:30 pm
A great response from Rocco Rossi
==========================================
In response to Mohammed Adam's column concerning prostate cancer and the "confusion" surrounding the prostate specific antigen (PSA) test, we'd like to state categorically that the PSA, together with the digital rectal exam (DRE), is the only test we currently have to help diagnose prostate cancer. While there are controversies among the medical community over its value, a controversy that also exists for mammography, elevated PSA readings still serve as a powerful red flag for physicians to further investigate.
Recent stats by the Canadian Cancer Society estimate that, in 2013, approximately 23,600 Canadian men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer, and about 3,900 will die from the disease. Prostate cancer is 90 per cent curable when detected early, so what, or who, are we missing? Perhaps an informed patient-physician discussion that may lead to the decision to perform a PSA test and DRE could prevent many of the estimated 3,900 deaths this year - we don't know.
We do know that the early warning provided by the PSA can't happen if men choose to ignore their health and avoid doctors' visits. An informed discussion with a patient's family doctor is essential because it is based on individual medical history and personal risk factors for prostate cancer. In an age of informed health care, this is one of the most powerful tools we have.
More research on improved testing is important, and Prostate Cancer Canada is funding much of it, but that is no excuse to put men at unnecessary risk today.
Rocco Rossi, president and CEO, Prostate Cancer Canada
http://www.ottawacitizen.com/health/men ... story.html
==========================================
In response to Mohammed Adam's column concerning prostate cancer and the "confusion" surrounding the prostate specific antigen (PSA) test, we'd like to state categorically that the PSA, together with the digital rectal exam (DRE), is the only test we currently have to help diagnose prostate cancer. While there are controversies among the medical community over its value, a controversy that also exists for mammography, elevated PSA readings still serve as a powerful red flag for physicians to further investigate.
Recent stats by the Canadian Cancer Society estimate that, in 2013, approximately 23,600 Canadian men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer, and about 3,900 will die from the disease. Prostate cancer is 90 per cent curable when detected early, so what, or who, are we missing? Perhaps an informed patient-physician discussion that may lead to the decision to perform a PSA test and DRE could prevent many of the estimated 3,900 deaths this year - we don't know.
We do know that the early warning provided by the PSA can't happen if men choose to ignore their health and avoid doctors' visits. An informed discussion with a patient's family doctor is essential because it is based on individual medical history and personal risk factors for prostate cancer. In an age of informed health care, this is one of the most powerful tools we have.
More research on improved testing is important, and Prostate Cancer Canada is funding much of it, but that is no excuse to put men at unnecessary risk today.
Rocco Rossi, president and CEO, Prostate Cancer Canada
http://www.ottawacitizen.com/health/men ... story.html
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