Men with prostate cancer want wider access to prostate specific antigen (PSA) tests, despite new evi...
Men with prostate cancer want wider access to prostate specific antigen (PSA) tests, despite new evidence that screening and treatment does not reduce deaths.
The findings were published in two separate reports in the British Medical Journal.
The first findings, reported by University of Oxford researchers, found 48 out of 52 men with suspected or confirmed prostate cancer were keen to see friends and family have a PSA test. Reasons listed by interviewees included the belief early diagnosis would reduce death, improve quality of life and save the NHS money.
However, the authors of the report said PSA tests have serious disadvantages and GPs should en- sure men who opt for a PSA test are making an informed choice.
The second findings, from US researchers, revealed prostate cancer death rates were, over time, similar in different areas despite the frequency of PSA testing.
The study compared the Seattle-Puget Sound region, where intensive screening and treatment for prostate cancer was adopted early, and Connecticut, where adoption was slower. During 1987 to 1990, men in Seattle were five times more likely to have a PSA test, but after 11 years, there was little difference in prostate cancer deaths in the two areas.
The authors of the second report said longer follow up may be necessary to fully assess the outcome of the research.
