My regular readers will know that I have never placed much stock in PSA results and this update on recent studies on the subject tend to support my contention, if perhaps for different reasons.

My own argument with PSA readings are that there is a number of factors effecting the rise and fall of the PSA readings, some of which the examining doctor will have no knowledge, unless of course, he has the presence of mind to ask appropriate questions of the patient. Something I have yet to experience.

PSA test results can be effected by such things as having ejaculated in the previous 24 hour period; testicular inflammation; an enlarged prostate; urinary infection; and fever. Even what one eats can have a temporary affect on the prostate.

Moreover, when given identical blood samples, two individual laboratories – more likely than not – will arrive at a different, subjective analysis. Splitting samples to get two opinions of a blood sample is not done of course, for cost reasons, but one must surely therefor wonder about the reliability of any analysis given. My understanding is that the PSA analysis of a blood sample is more subjective than it is scientific. Relying, as it does on the training, experience and observations of the examining technician as apposed to automated, scientific instrumentation.

By the way. Have you ever tried getting a hard copy of the PSA results for your retention? It has been my experience that some doctor’s simply refuse to hand it over for fear of the results being contested or in deference to the originating laboratory.

Statistically speaking, a man who has had the PSA test is no more likely to live longer that a man who didn’t. The main difference is that for the man having the PSA test, and getting an elevated reading, it will probably lead on to a biopsy (known to cause the spread of cancer) or other medical procedures, possibly surgery, leaving him traumatized and living a very uncomfortable life, suffering from various side-affects.

The following article, titled “Prostate Cancer Screening’s Benefit, Costs Questioned (Update1)” dated June 29 and written by Elizabeth Lopatto for Bloomberg.com takes a different approach. She reports on a study questioning the value, and cost, of wide-based PSA screening which, ultimately, leads to exceptionally high rates of men screened, the unnecessary identification of prostate cancer or other medical symptoms, which, if left alone, would be unlikely to cause the patient any problems.

I have mentioned this study in earlier postings but it doesn’t hurt to revisit it again.

The outcome of all this is that far too many, costly, medical procedures are being conducted with little or no direct benefit to the patient. On the contrary. he may well be left with considerable financial cost as well as debilitating and lasting side affects.

You can read the article, at: Prostate Cancer Screening’s Benefit, Costs Questioned (Update1)

Today’s quote:

There are some people who live in a dream world, and there are some
who face reality; and then there are those who turn one into the other. – Douglas Everett

This entry was posted on Tuesday, June 30th, 2009 at 8:21 pm and is filed under Informative Web-Sites, KAKADU JUICE, My Cancer Fighting Therapies, News Items, Prostate Cancer, PSA, Recommended Food Items. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.