“Prosstate Cancer – New Studies – Same Old Problems”
Conflicting opinions surround the commonly used prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test for prostate cancer screening and follow up. The longest and latest Swedish study on prostate cancer testing provides more evidence that getting screened doesn’t cut the chances of dying from the disease. This was a 20 year study on 9,000 Swedish men, which found no difference in the rate of prostate cancer deaths between the men who were periodically screened and those who weren’t. However, be assured that the debate on PSA testing will not end here and only a biopsy can confirm the PSA test and the physical exam. Even if a biopsy is positive, there is lack of agreement as to the best form of treatment or to use “watchful waiting,” surgery, hormone treatment, radiation or a combination thereof.
