J. Catalona - The Wrong Call on Prostate Cancer Screening - washingtonpost.com

[Guest guest]

By J. Catalona

Tuesday, August 26, 2008; Page A13

Numerous

media reports followed a federal task force's announcement this month that

there is insufficient medical evidence to assess the risks and benefits of

prostate cancer screening in men younger than 75 and that doctors should stop

testing men over age 75 [ " U.S.

Panel Questions Prostate Screening; 'Dramatic' Risks for Older Men

Cited, " front page, Aug. 5].

It's

important to note that consideration was not given to the overwhelming body of

emerging evidence that screening with PSA tests and digital rectal exams saves

lives. Rates of death from prostate cancer and rates of diagnosis at advanced

stages have decreased markedly since testing became widespread.

As a

physician and a researcher specializing in prostate cancer, I worry that this

recommendation will result in delays in potentially lifesaving treatment and

possibly the unnecessary loss of life.

For the complete

comment.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/08/25/AR2008082502335.html

or

http://tinyurl.com/6cxn4y

Kathy