Gov't Panel Recommends Against Prostate Cancer Test

Dienstag, 22. Mai 2012

Gov't Panel Recommends Against Prostate Cancer Test

Every year, millions of men have an annual prostate specific antigen, or PSA test, to detect prostate cancer.

But the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force says the test is often inaccurate and that it does more harm than good.

Now, despite objections from urologists, the government panel is recommending that healthy men no longer get a PSA test.

"If we truly appreciate the problem with men's health, we're going to work hard to find a screening test that actually works before we make it widely available to the population again," said Dr. Otis W. Brawley, chief medical officer of the American Cancer Society.

The panel claimed men with tiny, cancerous tumors that would otherwise not kill them often have surgery that results in incontinence, impotence or even death.

Still, the American Urological Association disagrees, saying it's "inappropriate and potentially irresponsible to issue a blanket statement against [PSA] testing."

The Obama administration said Medicare will still pay for the PSA test.

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force also previously recommended that women begin getting breast cancer screenings at age 50, instead of at age 40.

SOURCE:http://radiomegapower-nonstop.blogspot.de/