Private MD News

Group urges men to educate themselves about prostate cancer risk

Category: Prostate

In recent months, the medical community's attitudes toward PSA testing have become very complicated. A federal agency came out with recommendations saying that most healthy men do not need testing, but many experts continue to say the screening is an invaluable tool for early detection.

Skip Lockwood, the CEO of ZERO - The Project to End Prostate Cancer, said that these differences of opinion further underscore the need for men to educate themselves about their own prostate cancer risk and to consult with their doctor about whether or not PSA testing is necessary.

Not every man has the same risk factors for prostate cancer. Therefore, it is difficult to say that one set of recommendations should apply to every individual.

"There are many mixed messages floating around in the media, and ZERO is asking men to take their health into their own hands, instead of listening to the advice of a government panel that is encouraging them to ignore their health," Lockwood said.

He added that PSA testing remains the only screening measure that can detect prostate cancer in its early stages, making it an important tool for those at high risk.