What Is PSA
The PSA (Prostate Specific Antigen) test can be used to screen for early prostate cancer. The PSA Blood Test examines the level of ‘Prostate Specific Antigen’ in the blood. A high reading suggests prostate cancer but could be caused by other conditions. The PSA test is not a foolproof test for prostate cancer.
- Two out of three men with a raised PSA will not have any cancer cells in their prostate biopsy.
- Up to one in five men with prostate cancer will have a normal PSA result.
A positive biopsy is needed to confirm cancer.
If prostate cancer is diagnosed, it is not necessarily life-threatening and curative treatment may not be required. Most men diagnosed with early prostate cancer following a positive PSA test would be expected to have slow growing cancer which should not cause any problems during their natural lifespan.
PSA population screening
There is controversy over whether PSA testing should be used in routine screening for prostate cancer.
All man over the age of 50 in the UK have a right to a PSA test if they request it.
Everyman is undertaking further research to find a more efficient, comprehensive test - as an early diagnosis is so important to successful treatment.
Recent studies suggest that one in 1000 men who undergo PSA screening will avoid death from prostate cancer, but that an additional one in 30 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer that would not otherwise have caused any problems.
The European Association of Urology has issued the following statement in relation to population screening in light of the new research:
“Prostate cancer is a major health problem, and one of the main causes of male cancer deaths. However, current published data are insufficient to recommend the adoption of population screening for prostate cancer as a public health policy due to the large overtreatment effect. Before screening is considered by national health authorities, the level of current opportunistic screening, over-diagnosis, overtreatment, quality of life, costs, and cost-effectiveness should be taken into account.
“Over-diagnosis of prostate cancer leads potentially to significant overtreatment. Health professionals, especially urologists, should avoid overtreatment by developing safe methods of cancer surveillance/monitoring without invasive therapy. Invasive therapies should be tailored to patients' needs and the prognosis of cancers diagnosed.
“In the absence of population screening, the EAU advises men who consider screening by PSA testing and prostate biopsy to obtain information on the risks and benefits of screening and individual risk assessment.
The EAU promotes the quality of care for prostate cancer patients in Europe in collaboration with the patient support organisation Europa Uomo (http://www.europa-uomo.org) through the development of information and guidelines.
The EAU wishes to support and foster research needed to develop reliable active surveillance protocols for low-risk prostate cancers, prognostic markers, and targeted therapies in order to deliver optimal patient care.
