PSA Testing or Not??
PSA TESTING OR NOT?
The US Preventive Services Task Force has come out clearly recommending against PSA-based screening for prostate cancer.
The USPSTF concluded that, after many years of PSA testing, the mortality related to prostate cancer had not decreased significantly and many men have been exposed to diagnostic and therapeutic treatments which were unnecessary in many cases and harmful in many cases. This final recommendation has recently been published in the Annals of Internal Medicine, May 25, 2012.
Many physicians, groups such as the American Urological Association and patient advocacy groups disagree with the USPSTF position. This does not mean that you cannot have a PSA done for prostate cancer detection, but it does mean that a group of physicians and scientists has recommended against routine screening. Medicare and commercial insurance companies are continuing to pay for the test but I predict that will change fairly soon to discourage the testing.
Please talk to me or Abby if you have questions about this recommendation.
William F. Barnes, MD Abby Moeller, PA-C