The PSA test – what now?
A recent study by researchers at Stanford University, California, implied the PSA test was now ‘all-but-useless’. We have our say.
Researchers at Stanford University recently declared that ‘the PSA era is over’. After studying tissues collected over twenty years, they now believe the PSA test can indicate nothing more significant than the size of the prostate. They say that, as a result, thousands of men have undergone unnecessary operations to remove their prostates, suffering impotence and incontinence as a result.
Chris Hiley, Head of Policy and Research at The Prostate Cancer Charity, believes the suggestion that the PSA era is over was exaggerated to get the story in the media. "The fact is," she says, "medical practice and public opinion will not change overnight. But the researchers are raising an important point by warning of the dangers of expecting only benefits and no risks from using the PSA test as a screening tool.
The news also shows us just how important it is we continue to fund the development of more reliable tests, able to distinguish clearly between aggressive prostate cancer needing treatment and slow-growing forms of the disease which can be managed without active treatment. In the meantime, until there is clear evidence that lives are saved by routine PSA testing, our position remains the same. All men need to know about the test and have access to all relevant information about it – pros and cons – so that they can choose for themselves whether to go ahead."
Further reading:
The PSA Test
Our Tool Kit fact sheet provides more detailed information on the PSA test.
PSA Screening: Our Policy
Chris Hiley outlines the charity's position on the controversial issue of nationwide PSA screening.
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