To be or not to be PSA screened

Two new studies find most men are not being told the pros and cons of PSA tests.

Researchers also claim although PSA tests can detect prostate cancer, they can’t predict which cancers are aggressive and which are not. This prediction is very important because the slow-growing prostate cancers don’t need to be treated. This unclear situation leads to overtreatment, which can have immediate consequences, such as impotence and incontinence, and only a tiny increase in survival.

Men should know that there are huge question marks and hould educate themselves about the pros and cons of PSA testing. For some men who are very concerned, perhaps they should get screened. For some men who are less concerned about prostate cancer, perhaps they should not get screened. But men should not be told that prostate cancer screening is more beneficial than evidence can show.