Private MD News

PSA testing is safe and effective, experts say

Category: Prostate

The PSA test, a common measurement of a man's risk for developing prostate cancer, has recently been at the center of controversy. Some argue that the test is too expensive and leads to many over-diagnoses.

However, most medical professionals still believe the test saves lives. Doctors across the country say there is no better test for determining whether or not men need to move on to more aggressive treatments.

Dr Patrick Walsh told the Staten Island Advance that prostate cancer can be easily treated in its early stages, but if men wait until they see symptoms of the disease, it's probably too late for doctors to remove the growth.

"Until an alternative exists, prostate cancer testing is the best option we have to allow men to make an informed decision," he told the news source. "Because prostate cancer produces no symptoms until it’s too far advanced to cure, as appropriate, men should have a PSA test and examination."

The National Cancer Institute says that, while scientists continue to look for more effective alternative to the PSA test, men should still recognize it as a viable option, especially as they age.