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Prostate Cancer Test...not so much? - 3/18/2009 5:49:59 PM

MsFlutter

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Prostate Cancer Test Found To Save Few Lives

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RE: Prostate Cancer Test...not so much? - 3/18/2009 6:25:35 PM

MasterG2kTR

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This is refreshing news. For several years now I have concluded that most doctors see this test as a cash cow. It is simple and inexpensive for the Dr. to perform. Then if your numbers come back high they can schedule you for more testing. In addition an enlarged prostate (BPH) can also cause a false positive in the PSA test.

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RE: Prostate Cancer Test...not so much? - 3/18/2009 11:42:30 PM

VanessaChaland

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There is more and more criticism of the number of tests and treatments doctors do. Its unfortunate as I feel that many are trapped in the ugly medical/insurance/malpractice money and liability circle. They are wrong if they order procedures that may not be required, the patient and insurance companies then bitch about paying. If they don't order certain tests and procedures, they may well be sued. Sure some are doing whatever to pad the bill, but I feel sorry for others that spend more time worrying about being sued and fighting with managment rather than practicing medicine. :)

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RE: Prostate Cancer Test...not so much? - 3/19/2009 12:33:55 AM

YoursMistress

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It's kind of hard to hear about feeling sorry for doctors, but I'll bet you're spot on. Foolproof comes at a cost.

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RE: Prostate Cancer Test...not so much? - 3/20/2009 4:40:21 AM

corysub

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Personally, I'm happy there is something called a PSA test and would hope that research will provide an even better test. However, I have known a number of men who saw their test score go to the 3,4,5 levels and were able to have the cancer that was shown in biopsy succssfully removed. Cancer is a silent, painless killer that only gives a visible "signal" when it gets into advanced type 2 or 3 stages. By that time it might be too late to save the patient from an "event"....like death.

I don't care if the odds are 7 out of 10,000 men saved....I just want to be one of the 7. At least you have a shot.

The problem is we are going to see more studies such as these as cost/benefit analysis are done in Washington as we head towards a national healthcare system.

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RE: Prostate Cancer Test...not so much? - 3/20/2009 4:52:34 AM

kazzaslave

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As someone who has worked for urologists I just wanted to say that they don't go from a high PSA directly to biopsy. First they do an ultrasound to make sure there is a suspicious lump and then biopsy. Yes there are other reasons why the PSA could be high, that's why any good doctor is going to be cautious before doing a biopsy. He/she will take things like family history of cancer, especially prostate cancer into account.

As for the accuracy of mammography, when a lump was seen on my mammo, they did an ultrasound to take a closer look since I do have breast cancer in my family. The ultrasound showed it to be a cyst - shamrock shaped too - so no biopsy was done.

As I said, no good doctor is going to go directly to biopsy from a blood test result, I would question how good the doctor is if they do.

kazza

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