PSA screening not recommended by USPSTF

William Doss | | Radiology Business | Policy & Regulations

When first introduced in the 1990s, blood tests for prostate-specific-antigens were hailed as the cheap, non-invasive screening men had needed for years. While the rate of prostate cancer rose sharply, that was expected—a more effective screening test meant more cancers were diagnosed.

However, many studies have shown the cancers detected by prostate-specific antigen (PSA) tests are often non-life threatening, growing slowly instead of quickly metastasizing. Combined with the serious side-effects of treatment (loss of fertility, erectile dysfunction, urinary problems) and high false positive rate, are these tests worth it?

According to the U.S. Preventative Services Task Force Recommendation, no. In a 2012 ruling in the Annals of Internal Medicine, they recommended against PSA-based screening for prostate cancer, giving it a “Grade D” Recommendation.

Read the full article at Forbes by Professor Steven Salzburg, PhD, of Johns Hopkins University:

Guys: You Don't Want That PSA Test For Prostate Cancer

William Doss

As a Senior Writer for TriMed Media Group, Will covers radiology practice improvement, policy, and finance. He lives in Chicago and holds a bachelor’s degree in Life Science Communication and Global Health from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He previously worked as a media specialist for the UW School of Medicine and Public Health. Outside of work you might see him at one of the many live music venues in Chicago or walking his dog Holly around Lakeview.

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