The Great Mistake: Prostate (PSA) Test Scam
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EACH year some 30 million American men undergo testing for prostate-specific antigen, an enzyme made by the prostate. Approved by the Food and Drug Administration in 1994, the P.S.A. test is the most commonly used tool for detecting prostate cancer.
The test’s popularity has led to a hugely expensive public health disaster. It’s an issue I am painfully familiar with — I discovered P.S.A. in 1970. As Congress searches for ways to cut costs in our health care system, a significant savings could come from changing the way the antigen is used to screen for prostate cancer.
Americans spend an enormous amount testing for prostate cancer. The annual bill for P.S.A. screening is at least $3 billion, with much of it paid for by Medicare and the Veterans Administration.
Prostate cancer may get a lot of press, but consider the numbers: American men have a 16 percent lifetime chance of receiving a diagnosis of prostate cancer, but only a 3 percent chance of dying from it.
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March 14, 2010 am31 1:13 pm
I was diagnosed with prostate cancer nine years ago when I was 54 after my psa had remained elevated at 4.6 for more than a year. A biopsy showed cancer throughout my prostate as well as a slight spread to the area immediately surrounding. The cancer was not detectible by palpation, nor was my prostate enlarged. If I had not had a psa test followed by a biopsy I would not have known of the cancer until it had spread extensively and quite likely would not have survived more than a few years. So from my personal perspective getting a psa test beginning at 50 was a lifesaver. I’m grateful it was available and performed as a matter of routine because I had no visible symptoms – and would likely have had no visible symptoms until it was too late. I do not consider it a scam in any way.
March 17, 2010 am31 3:53 am
My father died from prostate bone cancer and had the test every year. The doctor one year later in 2003 told him that he didn’t need the test. Four mouths later, bone cancer from the prostate@ count 42. Two years later he died with a count of 298. He no visble signs on it in 2003. Had he been tested like he should have in 12 mouths, he wounldn’ have died a very very painfull death. I done care what is said here, I’m getting tested EVERY YEAR. NO way is it a scam.
May 10, 2010 am31 9:17 am
I agree that the PSA is not a good test, but not because of the diagnosis and death numbers you provided. A few weeks ago I picked up a copy of To Pee Or Not To Pee…, and I learned that the test can cause a bevy of false positives. I also found out that most of Europe has abandoned it as a reliable diagnostic tool. I can’t see why we would be using a test other developed nations recognize as ineffective.