Prostate test causing unnecessary distress

The UK National Screening Committee says after weighing all the evidence, screening for this male cancer using a blood test called PSA is not advisable, saying its potential harms would outweigh any benefits.

PSA screening has been contentious because of concerns about over-diagnosis.

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer and the second most common cause of cancer deaths in men in the UK. Each year in the UK about 35,000 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer and 10,000 die from the disease.

This advice is based on the latest research evidence, and informed by a range of groups including healthcare professionals and patient representatives

John Neate, chief executive of The Prostate Cancer Charity, says: " ... the evidence points to the potential risk of over diagnosis and over treatment through large scale PSA testing ..."

A raised PSA (prostate specific antigen) level may mean a man has prostate cancer. However, other conditions which are not cancer, such as a benign enlargement of the prostate or a urinary infection, can also cause higher PSA levels in the blood.

Likewise, a normal PSA test result does not guarantee that a man does not have a tumour. It can miss cancer and provide false reassurance.

Because of these limitations, experts estimate that 48 men would undergo treatment in order to save one life based on PSA testing.

Making the announcement, the screening committee director Dr Anne Mackie said: "I am confident that this is the right decision".

See BBC News: Prostate test 'causes distress'