From Deseret News archives:
Prostate-cancer testing not advised for older men
The new guidelines, issued by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, represent an abrupt policy change by an influential panel that had withheld any advice regarding screening for prostate cancer, citing a lack of reliable evidence. Though the task force still has not taken a stand on the value of screening in younger men, the shift is certain to reignite the debate about the appropriateness of prostate cancer screening at any age.
Screening for prostate cancer is typically performed with a blood test measuring prostate-specific antigen, or PSA, levels. Widespread PSA testing has led to high rates of prostate cancer detection. Last year, more than 218,000 men were diagnosed with the disease.
Past task force guidelines noted there is no benefit to prostate cancer screening in men with fewer than 10 years left to live. Since it can be difficult to assess life expectancy, it was an informal recommendation that had limited impact on screening practices. The new guidelines state that the age of 75 is the point at which screening is no longer appropriate.
The task force was created by Congress to analyze current medical research and to make recommendations about preventive care for healthy people.
"When you look at screening, you have a chance the screening will help you live longer or better, and you have the chance that screening detection and treatment will harm you," said Dr. Ned Calonge, chair of the task force and chief medical officer for the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. "At age 75, the chances are great that you'll have negative impacts from the screening."
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