Even less chance of PCa screening via PSA testing if this becomes a reality

The initial PSA test that a man has does not indicate he has PCa (although the chances of it being PCa increase significantly if the figure is very high.) That being the case, it is usually considered along with a DRE, which again is not a definitive test but sometimes the Doctor can feel the Prostate is enlarged or exhibits other than normal characteristics.  Even an MRI does not always show cancer that may be present and a biopsy can miss a significant tumour.  On occasion we have had members where PCa was suspected but they have had three biopsies before it has been found.  So the tools available are not accurate and before doing any tests/scans it is sensible in many cases to test a man for a UTI which can be a reason why any PSA test he has would give a raised figure.  Work is being done to find a much better simple indicator of PCa which would spare a lot of men undergoing unnecessary tests but although there have been other tests like the PCA3, neither  this nor others have been found to be sufficiently reliable singly so far.  So too much weight should not be placed on PSA alone, it not only leads to false positives but where PSA is low can fail to indicate cancer that is present.  PSA taken regularly after treatment becomes a much better though not infallible indicator indicator of cancer presence.

All these tests/scans for PCa added to the many others for other problems and procedures are obviously one of the reasons why the NHS is struggling to cope. Unfortunatley, measures to reduce testing will mean that from our perspective here, the chances of early diagnosis and treatment is likely to become worse.  The Government of any composition urgently need to put more money and human resources into the NHS with all that implies and the population should be prepared to meet the cost.

Edited by member 07 Dec 2019 at 23:26  | Reason: Not specified