Men should be offered a screening test for prostate cancer in their late 40s, researchers say.
What they are suggesting is the prostate specific antigen test. I’ve had this test because my symptoms increased a few months ago. As my GP pointed out, it’s a bit of an unknown, because the PSA test tests for raised antigen levels. What this tells us is that the individual has raised antigen levels. Although this may be an indicator of cancer, it may not. And if you don’t have raised antigens, it doesn’t mean that you don’t have cancer, so the end result is that you know whether you have raised antigens or not; not whether you have cancer. Mine were normal, by the way – so I probably don’t have cancer, but I could.
So, as you can see, testing men over 40 using this test is a big fat waste of time. And money.
Interestingly, an earlier story on this gives the opposite results to those in the lead story – also from Sweden…
XX it’s a bit of an unknown, because the PSA test tests for raised antigen levels. What this tells us is that the individual has raised antigen levels. Although this may be an indicator of cancer, it may not. And if you don’t have raised antigens, it doesn’t mean that you don’t have cancer, so the end result is that you know whether you have raised antigens or not; not whether you have cancer. Mine were normal, by the way – so I probably don’t have cancer, but I could.XX
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sShMA85pv8M
Just for replys…. sorry… forgot.
Of those who have a positive test, most won’t have cancer, but invasive investigations with their own risks would be warranted.
Thus doctors suggest not to have the test in the absence of other concerns.
Of course, there will be some people who agree not to have the test, but then end up having cancer.
In the US, one of these people sued their doctor. The lawyer said the doctor should have screened everyone.
Do we want lawyers to be doctors, or doctors to be doctors?
The day we have lawyers being doctors is the day to pack up and go home.
Do you mean doctorates of law, or of medicine?
(I have a Cousin who is both…. but….)
If you want to practice defensive medicine and so be safe you could advocate watchfuil waiting
It looks good. And sounds good.