This link has been bookmarked by 31 people . It was first bookmarked on 10 Mar 2010, by someone privately.
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28 Sep 11
Andrew MossPSA not predictive of prostate cancer
http://content.nejm.org/cgi/content/full/NEJMoa0810696
http://content.nejm.org/cgi/content/full/NEJMoa0810084 -
13 May 10
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12 Mar 10
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11 Mar 10
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hsumaker Doogliascreening did not reduce the death rate in men 55 and over.
The European study showed a small decline in death rates, but also found that 48 men would need to be treated to save one life. That’s 47 men who, in all likelihood, can no longer function sexually or stay out of the bathroom for long.
Numerous early screening proponents, including Thomas Stamey, a well-known Stanford University urologist, have come out against routine testing; last month, the American Cancer Society urged more caution in using the test. The American College of Preventive Medicine also concluded that there was insufficient evidence to recommend routine screening.
So why is it still used? Because drug companies continue peddling the tests and advocacy groups push “prostate cancer awareness” by encouraging men to get screened. Shamefully, the American Urological Association still recommends screening, while the National Cancer Institute is vague on the issue, stating that the evidence is unclear.
The federal panel empowered to evaluate cancer screening tests, the Preventive Services Task Force, recently recommended against P.S.A. screening for men aged 75 or older. But the group has still not made a recommendation either way for younger men.
Prostate-specific antigen testing does have a place. After treatment for prostate cancer, for instance, a rapidly rising score indicates a return of the disease. And men with a family history of prostate cancer should probably get tested regularly. If their score starts skyrocketing, it could mean cancer.
But these uses are limited. Testing should absolutely not be deployed to screen the entire population of men over the age of 50, the outcome pushed by those who stand to profit. -
10 Mar 10
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men lucky enough to reach old age are much more likely to die with prostate cancer than to die of it.
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The medical community is slowly turning against P.S.A. screening.
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