This technique has tremendously improved the detection and differentiation of high and low-risk prostate cancers.
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“On the positive side, there is a lot of prostate cancer that we don’t need to know about”, said lead researcher Dr. Daniel Barocas, an assistant professor of urologic surgery at Vanderbilt University, in Nashville, Tenn.
Less frequent screening for PSA can reduce the risk of over diagnoses as well as over treatment, but the benefits of infrequent PSA screening are still uncertain; there are concerns that those at a higher risk of cancer may receive delayed treatment due to irregular or infrequent screenings.
The study – published in The Journal of Urology – looked at screening practices among urologists and primary care providers and the incidence of prostate cancer to identify any changes in the number and distribution of new prostate cancer diagnoses in the US. The majority agree the decision should be made after careful consideration between a patient and his doctor.
The American Cancer Society notes that, at least in Georgia, one in seven men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer, and, unfortunately, the rate is much higher for African American men-at about one out of every five. Men with a family history of prostate cancer should be screened beginning at age 40. “I want to provide these men with comfort while also educating them about their condition and urging them to talk to their doctors about their individual risk”, said prostate cancer survivor Chatman Carruthers and a member of the PHEN Survivor’s Network.
The investigators found a drop in the number of prostate cancer diagnoses, a greater than 12% decline, following the USPSTF’s PSA screening recommendation. “We know there is decreased utilization of PSA testing in some institutions and health systems, but has the number of incident cases per month changed substantially since the draft guideline was issued?” Monthly colon cancer diagnoses remained steady before and after the USPSTF recommendation.
Late stages prostate cancer, though, can, in fact, invade the bladder or the rectum or even spread into the bones-which can be extremely painful-with a very low chance for cure.
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This September, buildings across the nation are lit blue to support Prostate Cancer Awareness Month.
