Prostate cancer screening has "yet to prove its worth", according to a new report.
The research found in two large randomised trials the benefit of screening - with the prostate–specific antigen (PSA) blood test - was "at best small", and because the cancer is virtually ubiquitous in men as they age, the goal of finding more cancers is "not acceptable".
Prostate cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed in men in the UK.
In related research, published in the CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians, it was found prostate cancer screening doubles the risk of lifetime diagnosis.
It was found in 1985, before PSA screening was available, an American man had an 8.7 per cent lifetime risk of being diagnosed with prostate cancer and a 2.5 percent lifetime risk of dying from the disease. Twenty years later, in 2005, an American man had a 17 per cent lifetime risk of being diagnosed with prostate cancer and a 3 per cent risk of dying from the disease.
Conducted and authorised by Otis Brawley, from the American Cancer Society, and Donna Ankerst and Ian M. Thompson of the University of Texas Health Science Centre at San Antonio, the research found public health principles demand screening to reduce the risk of death from prostate cancer, reduce suffering and reduce health care costs when compared to non-screening.
However, the authors said screening had yet to meet one of these standards to date.
The researchers said: "Men should discuss the now quantifiable risks and benefits of having a PSA test with their physician and then share in making an informed decision.
"The weight of the decision should not be thrown into the patient's lap."
Last week the Prostate Cancer Charity commented on the announcement from the National Screening Committee in the UK, which identified new evidence to review PSA.
John Neate, chief executive of the Prostate Cancer Charity, said: "It is clear that the status quo – in which many men are unaware even of the existence of the PSA test – is not acceptable. It is vital that we move as rapidly as possible to a position of 'universal informed choice', where all men are aware of the issues surrounding the test and able to decide whether having it is right for them.
"A key question facing the committee is how giving men wider access to the test can be achieved, whilst recognising its limitations. We look forward to the opportunity to continue our collaborative work with the UK National Screening Committee over the coming months to inform this discussion."
The charity says one man every hour dies from prostate cancer in the UK.
© ActiveQuote Health Ltd. 2009