Panel to Recomend Against the PSA Test

[eomrat]

Interesting

http://www.foxnews.com/health/2011/10/07/no-prostate-screening-for-healthy-men-us-health-panel-recommends/?test=latestnews

[OTH51]

I have to agree wholeheartedly with the recommendation. I know more than a few men who went down that whole biospy, harmone treatment for naught.

Just another medical money making scam IMO.

[JTraining]

Hmmm....First they try to float the mammogram protocol change & now this. Not that I am suspicious about the underlying motives but....

[Barry Bonds]

Hmmm....First they try to float the mammogram protocol change & now this. Not that I am suspicious about the underlying motives but....

I know too many men who have passed their PSA with prostate cancer. As far as mammograms, a MRI is a much better cancer detector, but insurance won't pay for it because they say "it costs too much". If you have the financial means and are a woman, or love a woman I can't recommend a periodic MRI for breast cancer enough.

[ljimd]

I almost got swept up in that whole prostate mularky last year -test this test that blahblahblah. I opted out. Good friend did not - he is still suffering the limp painful after effects(nothing found). What happened to the "first do no harm" theory? Who do you trust? Who do you believe?

[HoustonTXMuscle]

I too agree wholeheartedly with the recommendation. That said, it'll remain part of my semi-annual blood work, primarily for my own interest. Over a year ago, my PSA shot up to unbelievable levels. My physician called me and set up a mtg with a urologist in the same building as I was also having problems urinating. I argued that I felt it was due to my having increased both the resistance and length of time on the stationary bike at the gym. Had he been insistent on a biopsy, I'd have walked out and gone for a second opinion. Although he admitted that he'd never seen trauma from a stationary bike, perhaps in bikers that rides that ride 100 miles a day for several days, but not from a stationary bikes. He agreed to a follow-up PSA in 3 wks with the provision that I change my predominant method of cardio. 3 wks later, the test was completely normal.

[67fastback]

PSA test is a tool, which can be used for treatment. In some older men, even with slow growth prostate cancer, non treatment is a better option.
It is very important to educate yourself, before subscribing to an invasive treatment.

In some cases it is very important to treat potential problems, with an aggressive proceedure. Everyone is different. Everyone has different genetic histories, and different risks.

Ask questions. Possibly seek a second opinion, prior to aggressive treatment. Know the risks, treatment versus non treatment.
Make an educated choice.

[LisaSkinnoble]

I posted this in the other thread too:

My father has 5 primary cancers. Yes, 5, primaries. Not one that metasticized, but 5 primaries: prostate, seminoma, lymphoma, occular, and now multiple myeloma. He has battled for over 10 years. Had he never had that PSA (which was way off the charts), he likely would not be here today.

[eomrat]

I posted this in the other thread too:

My father has 5 primary cancers. Yes, 5, primaries. Not one that metasticized, but 5 primaries: prostate, seminoma, lymphoma, occular, and now multiple myeloma. He has battled for over 10 years. Had he never had that PSA (which was way off the charts), he likely would not be here today.

My Father was diagnosed with Colon cancer in 1995. My Mother is a survivor of Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma. When they told my Father that he would be undergoing Chemotherapy he told his Oncologist that Chemo is what killed people, not cancer. My Father never received treatment for his cancer. Last time I saw him was 1 year ago and he was working his dogs in the corn field that he plowed, planted and maintained. He is 75 years old.

Having said all that, I will definitely be getting my annual PSA.

[Marius_Ursus]

Hm.

"Federal Advisory Panel"...one wonders if it's the same federal advisory panel that just finished revising it's comprehensive coverage plans for insured, employed citizens.