Private MD News

PSA testing important for high-risk patients

Updated: 2009-08-17 22:48:16 CST Category: Prostate

by Francis Ma

In an effort to address the findings of a recent trial, a national organization has released an updated set of guidelines regarding PSA testing for those who may be at a higher risk for prostate cancer.

The National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) stated that people who routinely get PSA tests, particularly those who are at a higher risk of the condition, can improve their mortality rate.

"PSA testing has saved thousands of lives and continues to be an important tool in the fight against prostate cancer," said Dr Mark Kawachi, associate professor of surgery, urology and urologic oncology at City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center in Duarte, California.

The study, dubbed the European Randomized Study of Screening for Prostate Cancer (ERSPC) found a reduction in the number of prostate cancer-related deaths in a group that received a PSA test compared to a control group that didn't.

However, there was a flaw in the study because of the lack of family history information from the participants, as well as their racial makeup.

Despite this, the NCCN contents that those who know they are at a higher rest for prostate cancer should get PSA test.

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