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Prostate cancer screening

Slipperfarmer
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After Sir Chris Hoy's tragic case I had thought there might be more emphasis on health checks and screening. Reading information on Cancer Research UK I see there is no prostate cancer screening programme because the PSA test is not a slamdunk and has an unfortunate tendency to pick up cancers that's don't need treatment. Presumably it only frightens the chaps unnecessarily and wastes time that could be spent on women. Is it perhaps time for us not to just take this for an answer?

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    Hi Slipperfarmer, and welcome, I agree the PSA test is not perfect, 75% accuracy is not good, but I would encourage everyone over 50, or with a family history, of prostate cancer over 40 to have the test. I understand a false positive is upsetting, but the test is the best way to catch your cancer early, which is so important with a cancer that is among the "easiest" to cure, There is good news, soon, two more prostate cancer tests, will be available with 94% accuracy, regarding diagnosis, and just as important it can tell you if you don't have it, and no need to ever have a DRE, which as someone who does talks to encourage guys to have the test, knows puts many guys off.

    Eddie

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