Is the PSA Test Really All THAT Important?
Annual prostate screening is a two part event. First you’ve got the DRE or digital rectal exam that everyone is so fond of. NOT! But at least it doesn’t have many detractors. And there’s the blood work that measures the amount of prostate specific antigen, or PSA for short, present in your bloodstream. The amount of which, and how fast it’s increasing, is taken as an indicator of prostate cancer.
Some would argue the PSA test is a no brainer. Others point out recent studies that show no reduction in prostate cancer mortality from early detection. Plus there’s a lot of unwarranted treatment going on. Leaving some to ask whether to even worry about the PSA test in the first place.
When deciding what you should do you want to consider your race, age, plus the state of your health. As those and a few other factors would come into play here.
Also there are quality of life issues that come into play
Are you better off knowing than not knowing? Some claim yes knowing is best as what you don’t know could kill you.
Others would contend since it’s likely slow developing prostate cancer won’t kill you why sweat it? That leaves you free to cheerfully enjoy your life without being burdened by concerns about your prostate.
How do you decide who’s right?
The problem I’ve got with foregoing the test is you cut down your treatment options. With most cancers the idea is to identify them sooner rather than later so you can catch the disease early. Even if it does mean unnecessary treatment, avoidable anguish and unwanted side affects for some it’s worth knowing.
Besides, if you have no results to base a decision on, haven’t you in fact made a decision by default? Which in some cases leaves the decision makers with no option but to await death.
Can we really say that you are worse off with what is sometimes imperfect information than you would be with none at all?
Maybe it’s more there is no one size fits all approach here. But rather whether or not to test for and then treat prostate cancer is best made on a case by case basis.
But perhaps the big picture suggests rather than debating the merits of PSA testing, maybe it would be best to better prepare everyone for what comes next. Since better and improved ways to monitor what’s happening with your prostate might result in better and improved, not to mention informed treatment decisions.
Suspect you have an enlarged prostate symptom or two but aren’t sure? Perhaps you’ve got pressing prostate cancer questions and answers would be of value. If so visit your site for help with your prostate gland, ProblemProstate.com.
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