One thoughtful reader, Robert, sent me a link to an article looking at the issue of prostate screening generally and PSA testing specifically. Robert prefaces the link with the following observation:
"I'm all for looking at all the information that is available when you make any important decision but this article concerns me. We men have a strong tendency to switch on the denial when there is a threat to our health. I can see how reading this could add fuel to that fire."
The article itself, the major thrust of which is research demonstrating the questionable value of regular prostate screening, is filled with wiggle words like:
“That's not to say there's no benefit from screening,”
“We shouldn’t be predetermining for patients" whether they should get screened,”
“meaning the researchers cannot definitely say that screening for prostate cancer is not beneficial,”
So...the article attempts to remain firmly grounded on both sides of the fence. And, like Robert, I worry such articles may be used by men as justification to avoid dealing with “issues prostate.” Women do a much better job of working honestly with their physicians than do we.
Yes prostate cancer is, a great percentage of the time, a slow growing disease making most patients very likely to die of something else before the prostate cancer. Yet the CDC tells us, “Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men in the U.S., not counting skin cancer. It is the second most common cause of cancer death in men.” http://www.cdc.gov/Features/CancerAndMen/
It's old, but true, ”Denial is not a river in Egypt.” and for some with prostate cancer, it can be fatal.
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