Prostate cancer
This is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in men other than skin cancer: around 12,000 men in Australia are diagnosed each year.
Currently in Australia there is no organised screening programme for prostate cancer. The Australian Cancer Society and the Australian Health Technology Advisory Panel have found screening for prostate cancer to be of unproven benefit. Currently the decision to screen for prostate cancer should be made by the individual after discussion of the issues with the doctor.
The problem is that screening and treatment may do more harm than good for men who have a slow-growing cancer. Surgery and radiation treatment that causes impotence and incontinence, may be more harmful or debilitating than a slow-growing prostate cancer.
Current medical tests cannot reliably tell a slow-growing cancer from a fast-growing one. The PSA test does not detect all prostate cancers and has other limitations.
There is a UK-based online decision aid called PROSDEX that describes the facts clearly and will help you understand the advantages and disadvantages of having your PSA measured. More research will help determine the best course of action.
