Prostate cancer: useful screening?

A program of screening for prostate cancer, established in Austria, would have reduced the number of deaths attributed to cancer, says a recent étude1. Over 85% of men aged 45 to 75 years in the State of Tyrol have undergone at least one screening test for prostate cancer between 1993 and 2005. This test is a blood test to measure the rate of prostate specific antigen (PSA). The PSA is an indicator of the presence of prostate cancer. In 2005, among men under 80 years, the mortality rate due to prostate cancer in the state of Tyrol was 54% lower than deaths estimated by the researchers. This proportion was 29% in the rest of Austria where the screening was not available. The researchers estimated deaths, based on mortality rates from 1986 to 1990. Reducing the number of deaths can be explained by the early detection of prostate cancer, which improves the success rate of treatment, note the authors of the study. A different story Routine screening for prostate cancer is not unanimity among the doctors. In Canada, medical authorities do not recommend proceeding to screening for prostate cancer since the ability of tests to improve the chances of survival and extend life is not demonstrated. Le Collège des médecins du Quebec and the Urological Association of Quebec suggest a discussion with a doctor before undergoing a screening test to its benefits and disadvantages. Prostate cancer affects one in eight men before the age of 80 and 1 in 27 will mourra.