NEW YORK (Reuters Health) – For many men, a routine PSA blood test to screen for prostate cancer has become an annual ritual. Now the developer of the test says it can’t be relied on for this purpose, and has led to overly zealous treatment of men with prostate enlargement.
Dr. Thomas A. Stamey at Stanford University first reported in 1987 that levels of PSA in the blood could be used as a marker of prostate cancer.
“What we didn’t know in the early years is that benign growth of the prostate is the most common cause of a PSA level between 1 and 10 ng/mL,” Stamey notes in a university press release. Standard units of measurement of PSA are nanograms per milliliter (ng/mL) of blood.
Stamey’s group found that the average size and invasiveness of prostate cancers have been dropping over the past two decades, to the point that the cancers being discovered may not be clinically meaningful.
The investigators examined tissue from 1317 prostates removed at Stanford since 1983. During the first 5-year period, 91 percent of cancers were obvious on digital rectal examination (DRE), and average volume of the cancer was 5.33 cc. Between 1999 and 2003, these values had declined to 17 percent and 2.44 cc.
Also, the degree to which the tumor had penetrated the wall of the prostate dropped from an average of 1.54 to 0.22 centimeters between the two periods.
What has happened, Stamey and his colleagues suggest in the Journal of Urology, is that prostate cancer is being over-treated, given that most men will develop the disease if they live long enough and the fact that death from prostate cancer is uncommon in elderly men.
The authors conclude that the extensive use of PSA screening is not warranted. Instead, they recommend “careful palpation of the prostate” by DRE — since cancers found in this way “almost always require some form of treatment.”
Related Posts: •PSA Test a Thing of the Past •Experts: PSA Test Still Valuable for Prostate Cancer Screening •Obesity may interfere with prostate cancer screen •Prostate Exam Every 4 Years Misses Few Cancers •“Lumpectomy” possible for some prostate tumors
Happy 2's day???? I hope that doesn't mean two fingers, specially after talking about DREs. Have you seen the hands of most urologists? The fingers hang like a bunch of bananas!! LMAO
Here's something to contemplate. Give this link a CLICK:
Thanks for the read Chris,but still convinced a screening at say 50,(some may say earlier)may have picked up my cancer,or at least a yearly psa there after would have.......
Feel sorry for those killed or missing on that stricken cruise liner Costa Concordia this week ........it should never have happened by all accounts........sister ship Costa Atlantica was in port next to us at Antigua.........
Got to agree with you here John xx We all know that PSA cannot detect PCa, BUT what it does do, is give you Guys an idea of what your values are over a period of time. Any increase in those values, should then warrant further INVESTIGATION. It is a tool, and, although not an exact science, its all we got.
Dad was riddled with PCa, when he was diagnosed. He was a Pilot for 50 years with an annual medical. His PSA was NEVER checked, despite 3 generations of his immediate family having this disease. I throw my hands to the sky in despair.
I still argue that a less than £10 blood test a year, is still cheaper for the NHS than the cost of treating advanced, PCa, which has gone to bone. I will never change my view point here.
It is worth noting, that all the GPs etc that dismiss the PSA test, all know their own PSA values.......
BRILLIANT photo there John ! You both look fab ! Wish I was there too ! Love to you both xx
Great photos there, John. I love your handbag too.... (well, it will be a handbag when i've finished 'photoshopping' your pic!). lol
Something on my chest, Elise? I think this would be a bit scary:
PSA tests? YES. I wished I'd had one done before my PSA reached 182 a few days before my 54th birthday. And to this day I have a monthly test because it keeps me well on top of any sudden changes.
DREs? Only ever had the one done. Argggggggh! Have you seen the hands on most urologists? They look like bunches of huge bananas.
So, Chris? I hope your ' 2s Day' topics wasn't referring to fingers!!
I thought the article would get some brains working, I agree that a regular PSA is better, but it does make for some discussion. I don't agree with the article, but thought it was well worth putting on here.
As for only one dre George, I got one each time I saw my Onco !!! And your interpretation of 2's just about sums it up George,
Great pics John. When you see them with people beside them does'nt it look as if they are very top heavy !
Was told about this by canadian friends.
ReplyDeleteNEW YORK (Reuters Health) – For many men, a routine PSA blood test to screen for prostate cancer has become an annual ritual. Now the developer of the test says it can’t be relied on for this purpose, and has led to overly zealous treatment of men with prostate enlargement.
Dr. Thomas A. Stamey at Stanford University first reported in 1987 that levels of PSA in the blood could be used as a marker of prostate cancer.
“What we didn’t know in the early years is that benign growth of the prostate is the most common cause of a PSA level between 1 and 10 ng/mL,” Stamey notes in a university press release. Standard units of measurement of PSA are nanograms per milliliter (ng/mL) of blood.
Stamey’s group found that the average size and invasiveness of prostate cancers have been dropping over the past two decades, to the point that the cancers being discovered may not be clinically meaningful.
The investigators examined tissue from 1317 prostates removed at Stanford since 1983. During the first 5-year period, 91 percent of cancers were obvious on digital rectal examination (DRE), and average volume of the cancer was 5.33 cc. Between 1999 and 2003, these values had declined to 17 percent and 2.44 cc.
Also, the degree to which the tumor had penetrated the wall of the prostate dropped from an average of 1.54 to 0.22 centimeters between the two periods.
What has happened, Stamey and his colleagues suggest in the Journal of Urology, is that prostate cancer is being over-treated, given that most men will develop the disease if they live long enough and the fact that death from prostate cancer is uncommon in elderly men.
The authors conclude that the extensive use of PSA screening is not warranted. Instead, they recommend “careful palpation of the prostate” by DRE — since cancers found in this way “almost always require some form of treatment.”
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Related Posts:
•PSA Test a Thing of the Past
•Experts: PSA Test Still Valuable for Prostate Cancer Screening
•Obesity may interfere with prostate cancer screen
•Prostate Exam Every 4 Years Misses Few Cancers
•“Lumpectomy” possible for some prostate tumors
Thanks for that Chris.
ReplyDeleteHappy 2's day???? I hope that doesn't mean two fingers, specially after talking about DREs.
Have you seen the hands of most urologists? The fingers hang like a bunch of bananas!! LMAO
Here's something to contemplate. Give this link a CLICK:
Prostate Exam.pps
Oh bugger, I messed up my reply. I'll try to 'insert' that DRE funny later! lol
ReplyDeleteGeorge ? You got something on your chest yet ?! PMSL ! xx
ReplyDeleteThanks for the read Chris,but still convinced a screening at say 50,(some may say earlier)may have picked up my cancer,or at least a yearly psa there after would have.......
ReplyDeleteFeel sorry for those killed or missing on that stricken cruise liner Costa Concordia this week ........it should never have happened by all accounts........sister ship Costa Atlantica was in port next to us at Antigua.........
awesome sight......
Val & me in Jamaica...
Got to agree with you here John xx We all know that PSA cannot detect PCa, BUT what it does do, is give you Guys an idea of what your values are over a period of time. Any increase in those values, should then warrant further INVESTIGATION. It is a tool, and, although not an exact science, its all we got.
ReplyDeleteDad was riddled with PCa, when he was diagnosed. He was a Pilot for 50 years with an annual medical. His PSA was NEVER checked, despite 3 generations of his immediate family having this disease. I throw my hands to the sky in despair.
I still argue that a less than £10 blood test a year, is still cheaper for the NHS than the cost of treating advanced, PCa, which has gone to bone. I will never change my view point here.
It is worth noting, that all the GPs etc that dismiss the PSA test, all know their own PSA values.......
BRILLIANT photo there John ! You both look fab ! Wish I was there too ! Love to you both xx
Great photos there, John. I love your handbag too.... (well, it will be a handbag when i've finished 'photoshopping' your pic!). lol
ReplyDeleteSomething on my chest, Elise?
I think this would be a bit scary:
PSA tests? YES. I wished I'd had one done before my PSA reached 182 a few days before my 54th birthday.
And to this day I have a monthly test because it keeps me well on top of any sudden changes.
DREs? Only ever had the one done. Argggggggh! Have you seen the hands on most urologists?
They look like bunches of huge bananas.
So, Chris? I hope your ' 2s Day' topics wasn't referring to fingers!!
Now for the serious bit.
ReplyDeleteYou must see this (and click to watch FULL SCREEN):
Prostate exam
GREAT pictures John, please to hear you had a fabulous time.
ReplyDeleteGeorge, it's not a handbag John is holding, I think it is his camera case.
Here he is taking a picture with his camera whilst in Jamaica.
That's John,,,,,a true 'Butt' guy!! LMAO
ReplyDeleteIn fact.....thinking about it....I'm VERY surprised he isn't on his knees in the sand to get his 'perfect shot'. PMSL
ReplyDeleteI thought the article would get some brains working, I agree that a regular PSA is better, but it does make for some discussion. I don't agree with the article, but thought it was well worth putting on here.
ReplyDeleteAs for only one dre George, I got one each time I saw my Onco !!!
And your interpretation of 2's just about sums it up George,
Great pics John. When you see them with people beside them does'nt it look as if they are very top heavy !
How about some sexy music for the ladies?
ReplyDeleteTurn up the volume...LOUD!! lol
Note musicali erotica
OH SHIT!
ReplyDeleteIt don't work!
That will teach me not to try and be such a smart arse!! LMAO
ha ha ha ha ha ! PMSL ! xx
ReplyDeleteDuck off! PMSL
ReplyDeleteI'm not a happy bunny, lol
Good to see ya Lil' Duck xxxxx
Ok, here's one about a shovel tycoon......an ITALIAN one, Mike!!
ReplyDeleteYou lost me now George.....
ReplyDeleteI'm totally lost, Elise.
ReplyDeleteOh well, here's the 'silent music' LMAO
OFGS !!! xx
ReplyDeleteYEP!
ReplyDeleteI like it, a whimsical interlude !!
ReplyDeletebloody hell some of those positions are impossible!!
ReplyDeleteWho told you they were impossible?? Bollocks!
ReplyDeleteBev?....you haven't tried hard enough!!!! LMAO
Before I rest my aching bod for the night, some words of wisdom for the guys here.