Posted on 04/26/2022 10:49:09 AM PDT by ConservativeMind
Over the past 15 years, public health authorities have downgraded recommendations for the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test as a screening tool to reduce the overdiagnosis and overtreatment of men with low-grade prostate cancer. Now, researchers have found that while these efforts have been effective, the incidence of higher-grade disease and metastasis at diagnosis have risen.
"To our knowledge, this is the first study to demonstrate nationally that low-grade prostate cancer is no longer the most commonly diagnosed type of prostate cancer," said Dr. Jim Hu.
In 2012, the U.S. Preventative Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommended against screening all men with the PSA test, concluding that the benefits of the test, which measures levels of a protein often overproduced in prostate cancer cells, did not outweigh the risks. Then in 2018, the USPSTF issued a revision to include shared decision making for the PSA test for men aged 55 to 69 years, reflecting emerging evidence of longer-term benefits and widespread adoption of active surveillance after detection of low-risk disease.
The analysis revealed a significant decrease in the incidence of the lowest-risk prostate cancer, Gleason Grade 1 (GG1), falling from 52 to 26 cases per 100,000 men across all age groups. Further, the proportion of GG1 found on pathology in men who had a radical prostatectomy decreased from 32 to 10 percent. However, metastases rates at diagnosis increased from 3.0 percent to 5.2 percent over the same period. Halting PSA testing appeared to be the primary driver of these trends.
Public health authorities should consider implementing risk-stratified screening, such as MRI or biomarkers, continuing to minimize overdiagnosis and avoid biopsy in men with low-risk prostate cancer while addressing the rising trends of high-grade and metastatic prostate cancer, the authors concluded.
(Excerpt) Read more at medicalxpress.com ...
“In 2012, the U.S. Preventative Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommended against screening all men with the PSA test, concluding that the benefits of the test, which measures levels of a protein often overproduced in prostate cancer cells, did not outweigh the risks.”
The PSA test is 100% harmless. No one ever got hurt from a PSA test. It is tested from a normal blood sample.
Now, what does cause real problems is the fallout from the physically-invasive testing done for sampling the prostate for cancer, which comes after the PSA test looks a bit concerning. This study is saying the PSA tests and other methods should be used to correlate whether the sample should even take place, which is a great perspective to have. MRIs and possibly other blood markers can help prevent a physical sample. Utilizing these broader options together should be a part of “active surveillance.”
Men, get tested and go “active.”
Testosterone feeds it. Testosterone pills are on sale everywhere. Does that have any impact? I don’t know.
I dunno. My OLD doctor stuck that probe up my ass yearly. The new YOUNG doctor goes by the PSA. Twice I had to go in and have the gun stuck up there and take 14 bites. If you’re at an age when women don’t turn you on wouldn’t it be easier to cut it out? Fewer trips to the bathroom?
Although testosterone promotes prostate tumor growth, no solid scientific evidence exists to prove that use of TRT to achieve normal testosterone levels in hypogonadal men with a history of localized PCa worsens outcomes, he said, adding that he is comfortable prescribing TRT to “appropriately selected patients.”
Bump
My husband got diagnosed with aggressive prostate cancer at the age of 50 thanks to the PSA test. It saved his life.
Among these are the use of zinc (perhaps, ideally, “picolinate”) with or without a zinc ionophore, tomato sources (raw, eat orange tomatoes or cooked, eat red tomatoes (both maximize the active form of lycopene)), including 15 - 30 mg/day lycopene gel caps. Other studied supplements showing similar cell killing effects are curcumin, honokiol, sulforaphane, and iodine (I2), among others. For most of these, the studies have not found a need to use very high doses.
The Transportation Secretary says he prefers Aggressive Prostate Screening.
My OLD doctor said, “Your PSA # is 7. Don’t let it get over 8”.
When it got over 8, I had “brachy-therapy” using radioactive iodine.”
‘Wish I’d been told neither Medicare nor my supplemental plan will cover the five-figure cost!
Any doctor worth his salt does not use only a PSA test for diagnosis.
Mr. mm had prostate cancer a couple years ago. They watched his PSA level for several years before recommending a biopsy. Since his level kept increasing, they figured he needed it checked out.
Good thing too, because it was cancer although contained at the time they got it and he’s been cancer free since then.
But if they had let it go, I have no doubt it would have metastasized.
What with the distrust I have developed for the medical community, I see this move as more of the *people aren’t dying fast enough so let’s increase that by not doing preventative measures.*.
Yeah, I’m jaded,I guess, but not without reason.
for a certain percentage DIAPERS
bkmk
In July 2020 my PSA was 3.7 You are considered to have cancer when it tops 4.0. My doctor claims hia staff was instructed to contact me for follow up testing but they never did. In July of 2021 my PSA was 544. I was diagnosed with advanced metastatic prostate cancer. Spread extensively into my skeleton. It’s been quite a ride. Luckily they have been able to get it under control and my PSA last month was .41 buying me hopefully a few more years. I see every day as a gift now.
Mine got over 4, then 5 then back to 4’ then 6, then back to 5. I did an aggressive digital exam (you don’t want this ever!)’ 3 biopsy with negative results, then 2 “unremarkable” MRI.
Currently on 6 months blood testing and monitor.
The key is no sex 48 hours before a test, and no heavy straining or especially bike riding for a week before.
You are a trooper! That is quite a change in PSA, but I understand what all that betterment likely cost you.
I hope you’ve been following the prostate study threads I’ve been posting. There are some better options to address your issues in very recent years, thankfully.
Hang in there.
Luckily I worked for a good company and the treatments were covered minus copays and deductible. Chemo, radiation firmagon I am participating in a double blind study for Niraparib.The drug company covers all the testing which is the biggest expense. I was diagnosed with the Chek2 mutation. It sucks because I am relatively young and was living my best life up until the diagnosis.
Luckily I worked for a good company and the treatments were covered minus copays and deductible. Chemo, radiation firmagon I am participating in a double blind study for Niraparib.The drug company covers all the testing which is the biggest expense. I was diagnosed with the Chek2 mutation. It sucks because I am relatively young and was living my best life up until the diagnosis.
My PSA went from near zero to 3,4,5,6 in short order. Had a 30 point biopsy—negative. The urologist said he never had a patient that got a negative on his super-duper biopsy that later tested positive for cancer. My numbers are now back to 4ish. But ejaculation has ever since been a bit strenuous. If I had to do it over, I think I’d just wait longer before getting a biopsy.
That was an incredible number of spots for testing, and coming back negative.
Consider lycopene at 30 mg/ day and zinc picolinate (some level under 40 mg of zinc a day is still below the Upper Tolerable Limit), among others mentioned in post #8, to further reduce abnormal prostate cells. Zinc is taken at 60-70 mg/day with eye issues (AREDS), though, but copper deficiency issues crop up over time, if not supplemented enough.
BPH and prostate cancer cells have a lot less zinc and lycopene than normal cells. Unfortunately, it is difficult to get zinc into the abnormal cells, but zinc picolinate is structured in a way that appears to bypass at least some of that resistance, from my research.
I know you are still in an unsafe zone, so please continue to watch it.
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