Screening for early-stage prostate cancer does not reduce the number of deaths from the disease, reports the British Medical Journal.
Such conclusions are supported by the results of a 20-year study involving 9026 men conducted in Norrkoping, Sweden. In 1987, the subjects were over 50 years old.
Nearly 1500 patients were randomized for screening every three years between 1987 and 1996. The first two tests were a rectal finger exam, the next two were prostate specific antigen (PSA) tests.
After 20 years, it turned out that the mortality due to prostate cancer in the screened group and the untreated control group did not differ significantly. Specialists make a reservation that the research covered a relatively small number of people.
The preferred method of screening is prostate specific antigen (PSA) testing. However, about 15 percent. men with normal PSA levels have prostate cancer, and two-thirds of men with elevated PSA levels do not. Previous studies have shown that 1410 men must be tested and 48 men treated for non-life threatening changes to prevent one death from prostate cancer.
Prostate cancer is one of the most common types of cancer in men – in 2008 over 8000 men fell ill in Poland and 1000 died. Cancer in 88 percent cases appear after the age of 65.
The simplest, although not very popular, examination of the prostate is per rectum – the doctor inserts a finger into the patient’s anus to feel the size and texture of the prostate. However, for 30 days after the examination, the PSA level is raised – therefore the PSA level should be determined first, and only then the rectal examination (PAP).