[Hopespringpcsg] FW: FYI From .wausaudailyherald.com Topic:. Don't dismiss this prostate test for all

[Glen Tolhurst]

Hi all:

This article is a rational approach to PSA testing in light of the recent
controversy.

I believe that as PCa patients & survivors we should ensure that the
usefulness of PSA testing be reinforced with the "men in our life".

Take care,

Glen Tolhurst

Co-facilitator PCCN Waterloo

 

 


Letter: Don't dismiss this prostate test for all


EDITOR: As physicians practicing in Wausau and north-central WI for over
twenty years, we are concerned by new recommendations of the U.S. Preventive
Services Task Force against prostate-specific antigen testing.

These recommendations do a disservice to men around the country,
particularly those with a higher risk of the disease -- including those with
a family history, African
<http://www.wausaudailyherald.com/article/20111206/WDH06/112060548/Letter-Do
n-t-dismiss-prostate-test-all> American men, those who are underinsured and
those with limited access to health care.

The American Urological Association believes the best decisions regarding
prostate cancer testing come from individualized discussions between a man
and his physician -- no single standard applies to all men. The PSA test has
limitations, but when used and interpreted appropriately, the test provides
valuable information for diagnosis, pre-treatment staging, risk assessment
and monitoring of prostate cancer.

It would be barbaric to universally dismiss the PSA test before a suitable
alternative to prostate cancer diagnosis is available. There are many men in
this community who say that a PSA test saved their life.

Approximately 130 men are diagnosed and treated for prostate cancer at
Wausau Aspirus Hospital each year. Before PSA testing was available, most
men diagnosed with prostate cancer had more advanced disease that was not
curable.

Today, the majority of men are diagnosed earlier, with curable cancer. This
earlier cancer detection is due to PSA screening. Not all men with prostate
cancer should be treated, and the method of treatment must be
individualized.

Benjamin S. Battino, M.D.,

submitted on behalf of the physicians of Urology Specialists of Wisconsin
and the Aspirus Regional Cancer Center,

Wausau

 

__________ Information from ESET Smart Security, version of virus signature
database 6692 (20111207) __________

 

The message was checked by ESET Smart Security.

 

http://www.eset.com

-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: http://artsservices.uwaterloo.ca/pipermail/hopespringpcsg/attachments/20111208/87aa7ff3/attachment.html