Case For Preventive Prostate Cancer Treatment Bolstered Jul 20, 2009
To test the idea, Presti and his colleagues analyzed a database of 1,304 men who had been referred to Stanford after an abnormal digital rectal exam or high PSA test results the same conditions as in the original study, except none were on finasteride. Nearly 500 of them were eventually diagnosed with prostate cancer, 247 of which had the aggressive, high-grade disease. (Science Daily)
Cancer risk for migrants Jul 12, 2009
Louise Hall Health Reporter. MIGRANTS from non-English-speaking backgrounds will have a much higher cancer death rate than people born locally unless screening rates improve, the Cancer Council NSW warns. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Australia)
LETTERS: NCT, July 12, 2009 Jul 12, 2009
" (These figures are not precise, but considering population numbers, current toilet water consumption, etc., it's a reasonable estimate).Yesterday, while talking with a Vallecitos Water District representative, I was told there is now available on the market a toilet flushing valve that can be operated in either an "up" or "down" motion. "Up" is used for liquid only and operates on about one gallon. "Down" is for solid waste and uses the standard three gallons. A simple device like this could... (North County Times)
Prostate Drug Appears Safer Than Thought Jul 10, 2009
To test this theory, they analyzed data on 1,304 men who'd had an abnormal digital rectal exam or high PSA test results and had been referred to Stanford. None of the men was taking finasteride. (MEDLINEplus)
Prostate Cancer Screening Still Unproven Jul 7, 2009
Based on two recent major clinical trials, the practice of routinely screening men with the PSA test has "at best" a small effect on deaths from prostate cancer, according to the review, published in CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians. The studies, which came out earlier this year in The New England Journal of Medicine, appear to bolster the positions of the American Cancer Society (ACS) and other major medical groups, which do not recommend routine PSA screening for symptom-free men at average... (MEDLINEplus)
Report: Prostate cancer screening has yet to prove its worth Jun 29, 2009
The review says a decrease in prostate cancer death rates has been observed since that time, but the relative contribution of PSA testing as opposed to other factors, such as improved treatment, has been uncertain ... They conclude that "men should discuss the now quantifiable risks and benefits of having a PSA test with their physician and then share in making an informed decision," and that "the weight of the decision should not be thrown into the patient's lap.". (EurekAlert!)
Carter Road site not yet a done deal Jun 19, 2009
Controversy continues over the PSA test, as two recent studies in dicate it may lead to unnecessary and risky treatment. One must not be deterred by such results, as tremendous treatment advances have been made since those studies began in the early 1990s. (NJ.com -- Times)
Updates: Whatever Happened to Fuel Cell Progress? Jun 16, 2009
Not So Lifesaving For years researchers have questioned the value of a blood test for prostate cancer, called a PSA test [see Does Screening for Prostate Make Sense ... First results from large, ongoing U.S. and European studies, published in the March 26 New England Journal of Medicine, suggest that the PSA test does not save many lives. (Scientific American)
Lodi Memorial Hospital faces $2.1 million in losses (501) Jun 16, 2009
dogs4you wrote on Jun 9, 2009 9:15 PM:" gladtobeout,don`t wave a red flag at me, all I know about billing is what you said in your post.Nellie, FYI, LMH is JCAHO rated, type it up on Google and you know the "rest of the story"Sam, good advice but you would be surprised at how many guys won`t have that procedure done, at least get a PSA test done, your life counts on it. ". gladtobeout wrote on Jun 9, 2009 8:54 PM:" and make all of those patients go elsewhere out of town for treatment than accept... (Lodi News Sentinel, CA)
Effective over-the-counter prostate cancer test kit likely in next few years Jun 4, 2009
Public release date: 3-Jun-2009. Contact: Zenaida Gonzalez Kotala. (EurekAlert! -- Business News)
Partnership to accelerate Trudeau Institute discoveries to patient care Jun 4, 2009
" Since the passage of the Bayh-Dole Act of 1980, HRI has established hundreds of patents and technology licenses that have resulted in the commercialization of medical advancements, such as the Prostate Specific Antigen test ("PSA test"), HIV-1 co-receptor usage test, photodynamic cancer therapy, assistive communication devices for persons with spinal cord injuries, and several pharmaceuticals. "As a basic research institution, discoveries made at the Trudeau Institute often lead to vaccines... (EurekAlert! -- Business News)
Gene Test Helps Detect Prostate Cancer Jun 2, 2009
New screen boosts accuracy of standard PSA test, study shows ... Their two-year study of 484 men found that using a six-gene molecular test with a PSA test accurately detected prostate cancer more than 90 percent of the time and eliminated most of the false-positives from the PSA test alone ... Earlier research has found that the PSA test is 60 percent to 70 percent accurate in detecting cancer. (MEDLINEplus)
New blood test greatly reduces false-positives in prostate cancer screening May 29, 2009
William K. Oh, M.D., and Robert W. Ross, M.D., will report that the six-gene molecular diagnostic test, when combined with a PSA test, accurately detected prostate cancer more than 90 percent of the time. Earlier studies suggest that the conventional PSA test is 60-70 percent accurate in detecting cancer ... This high rate of "false positive" PSA test results underscores the need for a more accurate method for detecting prostate cancer, said Oh, who is the clinical director of the Lank Center... (EurekAlert!)
Advanced Prostate Cancer Deadlier in Younger Men May 27, 2009
The American Cancer Society guidelines, which now are under review, call for a physician to discuss, but not necessarily offer, a PSA test to men with normal risk at age 50, and to high-risk men at 45. Men at higher risk are those with a father or brother who has had the disease, and black men, who are more likely to develop prostate cancer for unknown reasons, Brawley said. (MEDLINEplus)
Cancer screening among migrants in an Australian cohort; cross-sectional analyses from the 45 and Up Study May 15, 2009
Only men from East Asia had significantly lower PSA testing rates than Australian-born men (0. 4, 0. (BioMed Central)
Dr. Donald Kaufman discusses prostate cancer and 'active surveillance' May 4, 2009
Two studies in March raised concerns about the PSA test for prostate cancer, finding that while it may prevent the deaths of a small number of men, it exposes many more to potentially needless treatment and complications. That's because it is not good at identifying which tumors are likely fatal. (Boston Globe)
No comments posted. May 2, 2009
I urge every man, and every woman who loves a man, to insist that all males over the age of 50 have a PSA test yearly or earlier if there is prostate cancer in the family, says Patinkin. My life was saved by modern science, and I want everyone to be as lucky as I was. (Cleveland Jewish News, OH)
Statins Alter Prostate Cancer Patients' PSA Levels May 1, 2009
But a new study by researchers at Henry Ford Hospital finds that statins also can lower PSA levels in men with prostate cancer, potentially altering the results of a patient's PSA test and masking his risk for prostate cancer ... A PSA test which measures PSA levels in a man's blood along with a digital rectal exam are most frequently used to help screen for prostate cancer in men age 50 or older. (Science Daily)
Experts Back Away from Annual PSA Test Apr 29, 2009
MONDAY, April 27 (HealthDay News) -- New guidelines on prostate cancer screening suggest that annual PSA blood tests might not be necessary for many men, but the same guidelines call for a "baseline" PSA test at the age of 40, rather than 50 ... Noting that the issue of PSA testing and how it should be used to guide treatment "is highly controversial," the association still stated that the test, "when offered and interpreted appropriately, may provide important information for the diagnosis,... (MEDLINEplus)
AUA counters mainstream recommendations with new best practice statement on PSA testing Apr 28, 2009
New guidance stresses that PSA testing should be individualized, men should get baseline reading at age 40 ... The PSA test, as well as how it is used to guide patient care (e ... g., at what age men should begin regular testing, intervals at which the test should be repeated, at what point a biopsy is necessary) is highly controversial; however, the AUA believes that, when offered and interpreted appropriately the PSA test may provide essential information for the diagnosis, pre-treatment... (EurekAlert!)
Doctors Urge Baseline Prostate Cancer Test Apr 28, 2009
The urology group's new advice says men should be offered a baseline PSA test at age 40, and follow-ups at intervals based on each man's situation ... Two big studies last month concluded that annual PSA tests do little to prevent deaths from prostate cancer. (KWTX.com, TX)
Doctors urge baseline test for prostate cancer Apr 28, 2009
The urology group's new advice says men should be offered a baseline PSA test at age 40, and follow-ups at intervals based on each man's situation ... Only about 1 percent of those whose initial PSA test was under 1 saw their scores rise above 4 in the next five years ... Dr. Otis Brawley, the American Cancer Society's chief medical officer, believes there is still some value to PSA testing, but added: "I am very concerned that the urology community and the American public may think there's more... (MSNBC -- Health)
Prostate cancer conundrum Apr 2, 2009
"Others will see them as unfavorable." He said the studies buttress the case for shared decision-making about the PSA test by men and their doctors. But the studies also demonstrate the need for better tools to weigh the actual danger presented by the cancerous cells in a patient's prostate. (Boston Globe)
Don't discard the PSA test for cancer yet Mar 30, 2009
Don't discard the PSA test for cancer yet. Article:Don't discard the PSA test for cancer yet:/c/a/2009/03/29/EDDQ16NNKM.DTL Article:Don't discard the PSA test for cancer yet:/c/a/2009/03/29/EDDQ16NNKM.DTL ... Don't discard the PSA test for cancer yet. (San Francisco Chronicle -- Opinion)
Molecular Fingerprints Point The Way To Earlier Cancer Diagnosis And More Targeted Treatment Mar 28, 2009
A PSA test along with a digital rectal exam is today's standard for prostate screening so physicians typically do both in men age 50 and older. But PSA levels are actually better at helping determine if prostate cancer has returned, Dr. Sreekumar says. (Science Daily)
Benefits of prostate exam questionedbut doctors still recommend it Mar 27, 2009
If your PSA test level is between 4 and 10, you have about a 1 in 4 chance of having prostate cancer ... However, an abnormal PSA test can lead men to endure painful biopsies as well as chemotherapy or radiation treatment that can cause incontinence and impotence ... The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, the leading government authority on health screenings, said that it doesn't have enough evidence to recommend the PSA test and recommends against giving it to men who are 75 or over. (The Palm Beach Post)
Your views: Letters to the editor Mar 26, 2009
As a prostate cancer survivor, I cringed when I read the recent FLORIDA TODAY article, Value of prostate PSA test questioned ... The story about two studies released March 18 saying the PSA test has little or no effect on whether a patient will die from prostate cancer left one confused about the value of early detection ... The PSA test is one of the few tools available to flag suspicious prostate cellular activity. (Florida Today)
No Early Mortality Benefit From Annual Prostate Cancer Screening, U.S. Study Shows Mar 25, 2009
The controversy over prostate cancer screening has arisen because most men who undergo a biopsy for an abnormal PSA test do not have prostate cancer ... Of the men who received annual screening, 85 percent had PSA tests and 86 percent had digital rectal exams. (Science Daily)
Reliable Prostate Cancer Test Is at Least a Decade Away, Researchers Say Mar 21, 2009
With a single PSA test at an early age, weighed in relation to other factors, you can really tell who is at risk for cancer, Vickers said in a telephone interview ... Berg, chief of the National Cancer Institutes early detection research group, said these adjustments to the standard PSA test could be available in the next few years yet are likely to produce only incremental improvements to accuracy. (Bloomberg -- Canada)
PSA (Prostate-Specific Antigen) Testing: What Should Men Do? Mar 21, 2009
MedlinePlus: PSA Testing: What Should Men Do ... PSA Testing: What Should Men Do ... Because doctors cannot yet tell the difference, treatments are often ordered that can impair men's quality of life -- causing many experts to worry that the PSA test is overused. (MEDLINEplus)
Paula's Health Notes: Listen Up Men Mar 21, 2009
The studies seem to show that the standard Prostate Cancer screening test, called the PSA test, may not save enough lives to justify widespread use. A high PSA reading can submit a man to painful biopsies and risky surgery. (KLAS-TV)
Prostate Exams: When Are They Necessary? Mar 20, 2009
The prostate portion of the study looked at a sample group of nearly 77,000 men in 10 health-care centers across the U.S. Half the men were randomly assigned to receive regular PSA tests and physical exams ... The question for any man with a positive PSA test or manual exam is, Which group does he belong to ... "If the man sitting in front of me was an elderly man with a medical condition and he looked like he had a limited life expectancy say seven to 10 years," Andriole says, "I think I could... (Time.com)
Landmark study stokes PSA testing debate Mar 20, 2009
But researchers added a note of caution, saying the risks and costs of PSA testing are significant, including false positives, over-treatment and the need to test massive numbers of men to prevent relatively few deaths ... He said that PSA testing is an imperfect screening tool but, over all, it is as effective as programs such as mammography for breast cancer and fecal occult blood testing for colorectal cancer ... But Heather Chappell, senior manager of cancer control policy at the Canadian... (Globe and Mail)
Prostate test found to save few lives Mar 20, 2009
The PSA test, which measures a protein released by prostate cells, does what it is supposed to do indicates a cancer might be present, leading to biopsies to determine if there is a tumor ... In the European study, 48 men were told they had prostate cancer and needlessly treated for it for every man whose death was prevented within a decade after having had a PSA test ... Dr. Peter B. Bach, a physician and epidemiologist at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, says one way to think of the... (International Herald Tribune)
Prostate cancer blood test does little to decrease death rate Mar 20, 2009
The US trial of PSA testing in 77,000 men concluded there was, "no decrease in the death rate" in those who had yearly tests compared to those who were not formally offered annual testing ... Professor Olver said men needed to think about the implications of a positive result before deciding whether to have a PSA test, which now appeared to be unsuitable for screening the whole population ... Almost a million Australian men took PSA tests last year, including many without symptoms. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Australia)
Studies fail to resolve debate on prostate cancer screening Mar 19, 2009
The PSA test, which measures a protein produced by prostate tissue called the prostate-specific antigen, has significantly increased the number of prostate cancer cases being caught at very early stages ... Because of the uncertainty, many major medical groups have stopped recommending routine PSA testing ... In the U.S. study, researchers randomly assigned 76,693 men to receive either six annual screenings consisting of PSA testing and physical examinations or whatever their doctors recommended... (The Palm Beach Post)
Comments Studies: Prostate PSA Tests May Do More Harm Than Good Mar 19, 2009
Men who opt for a PSA test should consider this risk, he says. "The question for the patient is, 'Do you want to get into this gamble, when you are 50 times more likely to be overdiagnosed and treated needlessly than you are to have your life saved?' " Welch says. (W-USA News, DC)
Do Prostate Cancer Tests Actually Work? Mar 19, 2009
Researchers for a U.S. study came to the conclusion that, after seven to 10 years of follow-up, men who got the PSA test were no less likely to die from prostate cancer than men who did not. A separate European study, on the other hand, suggested a benefit to getting tested -- albeit a disappointingly small one. (ABC News)
Benefit of prostate tests still in doubt after study Mar 19, 2009
The benefits of the PSA test used to detect signs of prostate cancer have been debated ... The benefits of the PSA test used to detect signs of prostate cancer have been debated. (Honolulu Star-Bulletin)
Q&A: Sorting out some troubling questions PSA screenings Mar 19, 2009
Only 85% of men who were assigned to receive a PSA test actually had the screening. Yet nearly half of the men in the comparison group also got PSA tests on their own ... Men at high risk should still get PSA tests, the American Cancer Society's Otis Brawley says. (USA Today)
Darth Vader actor battles prostate cancer Mar 19, 2009
"Every man over the age of 50 should have a PSA test (a blood test for prostate cancer) and that just gives you some indication of whether you have prostate problems.". Share this on. (CNN -- Showbiz)
Prostate study claims PSA tests will save more lives Mar 19, 2009
Using the much-maligned PSA test to systematically screen men for prostate cancer can reduce their risk of dying from the common cancer by 20 per cent or more, according to new research ... A lot of men are getting the PSA test now, but if you do it in an organized fashion, a lot more will benefit, said Bob Shiell, president of the Canadian Prostate Cancer Network ... His group recommends that all men over the age of 40 get a PSA test as part of regular check-ups, and that they track any changes... (Globe and Mail)
Prostate cancer tests save few lives Mar 19, 2009
They were assigned to get six annual PSA tests and four digital rectal exams or regular care from their doctors, which could include screening ... Some of the researchers report receiving grants and fees from drugmakers; one holds a patent for a PSA test. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution)
Prostate screening 'saves lives' Mar 19, 2009
There has been concern that the PSA test could produce inaccurate results, leading to some men receiving unnecessary treatment which carries a risk of side effects such as impotence and incontinence ... In the UK men over 45 can ask their GP for a PSA test, but it is not offered as standard ... And a second US study, published in the same journal and based on 76,000 men, did not find a significant difference in death rate between men who had taken the PSA test, and those who were simply... (BBC News)
Doubt cast on safety of prostate tests Mar 19, 2009
Since 1992, five years after the PSA test was introduced, U.S. death rates from prostate cancer have declined about 4 percent per year. Some attribute the decline to the test, while others say it is due to better treatment regimens. (AZCentral -- News)
Prostate screenings don't reduce cancer deaths Mar 19, 2009
The problem occurs because samples from the common PSA test do not give enough information to determine whether a prostate cancer is "a killer cancer or a toothless lion: the type of cancer men die with, not die of," Andriole said ... A PSA test is not necessary for a patient who is elderly, has other medical conditions and has a limited life expectancy of seven to 10 years, said Andriole, chief of the division of urologic surgery at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis,... (CNN)
Selected men with low-risk prostate cancer have good clinical outcomes without immediate treatment Mar 16, 2009
They subsequently underwent physical exams and PSA tests every six months with biopsies recommended every 1--2 years ... Unlike many past studies on active surveillance that used data before PSA tests were widely available, this multi-center study is based on patients who were screened with the PSA blood test ... The PSA test is a widely used cancer screening tool that predicts a man's chances of having prostate cancer. (EurekAlert!)
Cancer screening: Doing more harm than good? Mar 13, 2009
Cancer screening: Doing more harm than good. - TODAY Health- msnbc. (MSNBC -- Health)
More proof prostate tests overdiagnose cancer Mar 11, 2009
There begins the list of problems: Most men who undergo a biopsy for an abnormal PSA test don't turn out to have prostate cancer; high PSAs often signal a benign enlarged prostate. Of those who do have cancer, there's no proof yet that early detection saves lives as most prostate tumors grow so slowly that had they not been screened, those men would have died of something else without the anxiety. (MSNBC -- Health)
Prostate Cancer Test: Worth the Trauma? Mar 11, 2009
While proponents of the standard blood test used to detect signs of prostate cancer -- called the prostate-specific antigen, or PSA test -- maintain that it has saved thousands of lives, researchers in the Netherlands suggest that many men who are diagnosed with prostate cancer they had the disease. In a study of American men that lasted from 1985 and 2000, the researchers found that between 23 percent and 42 percent of prostate cancers identified by PSA testing are so slow-growing that they... (ABC News)
Drugs May Help Healthy Men Lower Prostate Cancer Risk Feb 26, 2009
New guidelines suggest that men discuss use of medicines such as Propecia with their doctor. Tuesday, February 24, 2009. (MEDLINEplus)
Some advising healthy men take prostate pill Feb 25, 2009
We still dont know if screening and aggressive treatment is a good thing, but if men are getting PSA tests, taking finasteride is reasonable, said the American Cancer Societys chief medical officer, Dr. Otis Brawley ... A PSA test was a little high and he was having urinary problems. (MSNBC -- Health)
Drug recommended to prevent prostate cancer in some older men Feb 25, 2009
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Many Older Men Won't Benefit from PSA Test Feb 24, 2009
Researchers analyzed data from 727 prostate cancer patients and 122 cancer-free men who took part in the U.S. National Institute on Aging's Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging and had regular PSA testing ... The findings, published in the April issue of the Journal of Urology, suggest that many older men may no longer require PSA testing ... PSA testing helps detect prostate cancer at the early stages and is credited with helping reduce prostate cancer deaths. (MEDLINEplus)
Patient calls for a screening test for prostate cancer for all men ... Feb 23, 2009
A PROSTATE cancer patient is hoping to offer all men over 50 in Wales a PSA test in a bid to detect the disease. Reg Williams, who founded the South Wales-based Prostate Screening Trust, is exploring the possibility of using a mobile PSA testing machine which can give a result in just 20 minutes ... Mr Williams, 59, a council job advisor, said: A lot of men, particularly in parts of the valleys, want to have a PSA test but are told to come back when they have symptoms. (WalesOnline)
Ending prostate test safe for most elderly men Feb 21, 2009
Doctors consider PSA test results in deciding whether to order a biopsy to diagnose prostate cancer. Many prostate tumors are slow-growing and may take years if they ever are to become dangerous to a man. (MSNBC -- Health)
Old men don't need prostate PSA test Feb 20, 2009
No prostate PSA test of elderly men-Health-Health & Science-The Times of India ... No prostate PSA test of elderly men20 Feb 2009, 1042 hrs IST, REUTERS ... Doctors consider PSA test results in deciding whether to order a biopsy to diagnose prostate cancer. (India Times, India)
Consumer advocate Howard diagnosed with cancer Feb 19, 2009
If PSA levels are up, the chances of prostate cancer rise, and Howard's levels were such that his doctor gave him PSA tests every 90 days to monitor antigen levels. Don't Miss. (CNN -- Health)
Abortion reporting bill fails in committee (2610) Feb 18, 2009
oldmunchkin wrote on Feb 7, 2009 6:12 PM:" I am so glad this bill failed. More intrusion into our lives is NOT what we need. Opening a portion of a woman's medical record seems to me to violate the patient's right to privacy. How would men like to know that if they have a PSA test, that area of your record can be opened by someone other than your doctor. Personally, I think if a woman chooses the option of an abortion, then it should be a private procedure. It is no one else's business but her... (Casper Star-Tribune)
Can a Urine Test Detect Deadly Prostate Cancer? Feb 12, 2009
Currently, older men at risk of prostate cancer receive a PSA test, which detects a protein called prostate-specific antigen in the blood. Men who have elevated PSA levels, which may indicate cancer, undergo invasive biopsies, but often end up not having the disease at all. (Time.com)
Looking for a sign of deadly prostate cancer Feb 12, 2009
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Metabolite linked to aggressive prostate cancer found Feb 12, 2009
U.S. researchers discover metabolite linked to aggressive prostate cancer_English_Xinhua. U.S. researchers discover metabolite linked to aggressive prostate cancer. (Xinhuanet, China)
NEW - Prostate cancer from a patients perspective Feb 10, 2009
Jack was diagnosed with prostate cancer last year, after a relative s passing caused him to start taking PSA tests on a regular basis ... However, I agreed to have a PSA test done on a regular basis, and did so over a period of three years with none of them sinister, so it was disconcerting to receive a call from my doctor following the latest test, requesting me to see him. (Yorke Peninsula Country Times)
Patients to get help making wiser health choices Feb 10, 2009
Would as many men take a PSA test if they knew ... Most men who undergo a biopsy for an abnormal PSA test don't turn out to have prostate cancer at all ... In fact, health guidelines issues last year concluded men over age 75 shouldn't get a PSA test while younger men should make an individual choice after hearing the pros and cons. (MSNBC -- Health)
Since being diagnosed with prostate cancer two months ago John Jackson has made it his mission to make sure all men know the importance of testing for the disease. (Photo by Sara Loven) Feb 8, 2009
I didnt get one (a PSA test) done for six years, Jackson says ... The normal range for a PSA test, which measures an enzyme produced by the prostate, is 1-4. (Cody Enterprise, WY)
