PSA Test Recommendations
October 2011
Stations, the following is
a news announcement. Suggested lead in 3, 2, 1…
(INTRO)
The U.S. Preventive Services
Task Force has just released its draft recommendations
on the use of the prostate-specific antigen, or PSA,
test recommendations.
Dr. J. Brantley Thrasher
of the American Urological Association says not all
prostate cancers require active treatment.
(THRASHER)
WHILE WE APPLAUD THE TASK
FORCE FOR ITS INTEREST IN REVIEWING THE USE OF THE P-S-A
TEST, WE ARE CONCERNED THE RECOMMENDATIONS WILL ULTIMATELY
DO MORE HARM THAN GOOD. WHEN INTERPRETED APPROPRIATELY,
THE P-S-A TEST PROVIDES IMPORTANT INFORMATION IN THE
DIAGNOSIS, PRE-TREATMENT STAGING OR RISK ASSESSMENT
AND MONITORING OF PROSTATE CANCER PATIENTS. BUT NOT
ALL PROSTATE CANCERS ARE LIFE THREATENING. THE DECISION
TO PROCEED TO ACTIVE TREATMENT OR USE SURVEILLANCE FOR
A PATIENT'S PROSTATE CANCER IS ONE THAT MEN SHOULD DISCUSS
IN DETAIL WITH THEIR UROLOGISTS.
(CLOSE)
Until there is a better widespread
test for this potentially devastating disease, disparaging
the test is doing a great disservice to the men worldwide
who may benefit from it. For more information, visit
www.auanet.org.
###
|
