Doctors insist prostate cancer test saves lives
Experts say the prostate cancer blood test has been successful in the fight against the disease, despite the man behind its creation describing it as “hardly more effective than a coin toss”.
In the 1970s, scientist Richard Ablin discovered that elevated levels of an enzyme made by the prostate gland could indicate cancer.
The PSA test was developed as a result.
But Dr Ablin is now describing the test as a “hugely expensive public health disaster”, arguing drug companies and advocates have pushed its overuse, leading to millions of men having unnecessary treatments.
Director of the St Vincent’s prostate cancer clinic Phillip Stricker says the comments are biased but agrees the test does need to be used wisely.
“The last thing you want to be doing is wasting valuable health dollars to pick up early cancers in older men,” he said.
“That’s rule one. And rule two is, not every person who gets diagnosed needs to be treated.”
Dr Stricker says while the test is not the Holy Grail of prostate cancer treatment, it is a useful tool.
“I think it’s helped us diagnose the cancer earlier, it’s helped us save some lives, but it does have to be used intelligently,” he said.
via:au.news.yahoo.com
Tags: Cancer, Cancer News, Prostate Cancer
