Men's Health:Top Tips on PSA Testing - 13th July 2021 - 12.30pm to 1.30pm
Top tips on PSA testing
A huge topic in itself. First establish the man’s main concern. The PSA test should certainly not be done without adequate counselling. A quick summary of the facts may be as follows: large trials have shown that use of the PSA test results in fewer men dying of prostate cancer, but not fewer deaths overall. Its use can result in detection of prostate cancer cases that may never have caused any problems, with investigations and treatments that have risks of side effects (overdetection, overtreatment), though this is improving.
It can be helpful to direct men to an information leaflet from the Prostate Cancer Risk Management
The Prostate Cancer Risk Management Programme provides good advice to professionals and patients
“The PSA Test is available free to any well man over 50 who requests it”
Plus:
Younger men with high risk at the GP’s clinical judgement
Other factors influencing a high PSA
10 years’ life expectancy important to consider
Sensitivity and specificity, currently being reviewed by DOH regarding national screening programme
