Changing the Rules on Prostate Cancer Screening

Prostate cancer screening (or the PSA test) may actually do more harm than good, especially if you're older than 74, according to the a new study.

You can read a short review of the new PSA test guidelines here.

According to the Washington Post's report on the new study: "The guidelines address perhaps the most important and contentious issue in men's health, and were praised by officials at several leading medical groups, including the National Cancer Institute and the American Cancer Society. But they drew strong criticism from others who are convinced that routine screening is necessary."'

Read the complete Washington Post story on prostate cancer screening here.

You can also read the abstract and summary of the new recommendations published in the journal Annals of Internal Medicine here.

Did you have a routine screening scheduled? Are you wondering now if you should bother?

Keep in mind that the "new review of the scientific literature found no evidence to alter that assessment for younger men," according to the Washington Post, though it did "find enough new data to recommend for the first time against screening for older men."

Also, according to a report in the New York Times, "the guidelines focus on the screening of healthy older men without symptoms and will not affect treatment of men who go to the doctor with symptoms of prostate cancer, like frequent or painful urination or blood in the urine or the semen."

The new guidelines don't mean that you can't have the screening test if you want it. According to the Times, "The new guidelines are not expected to alter Medicare's current reimbursement for annual PSA screening of older men." Some older men may continue to get the screening, while others will skip it.

So, if you're under 75, you might want to keep the appointment for now. In any event, talk to your doctor about your concerns. Your doctor may have different recommendations for you.

See also:

The PSA Testing Guide: Who should take it? What happens before, during and after?

Does your prostate need treatment? Take this assessment to help find out.

Our experts physicians' advice on PSA screening