New Studies Indicate PSA Testing May Be Harmful for Some Men

If you are a man over the age of 40, your doctor may have suggested that you take a PSA test. The PSA test measures the blood level of Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA), which is a protein produced by the prostate. In general, high PSA levels can indicate that a man has prostate cancer. However, recent studies have suggested that the PSA test may not be the best indicator for prostate health.

In fact, some men have elevated PSA levels for other reasons, while others with prostate cancer never show elevated PSA levels. A few studies have shown that some patients with prostate cancer have a greater risk of dying from heart disease or suicide than they do from dying from prostate cancer.

According to the Mayo Clinic, up to 50 percent of men who get a PSA test have tumors that would not cause symptoms during their lifetime, resulting in the men receiving treatment for a condition that would never bother them. The inconsistency of the test combined with the possible dangerous side effects of over-treatment has led some health experts to recommend that men skip the PSA test. Read on to learn more about the possible risks and other strategies for preventing prostate cancer.

Prostate Cancer and PSA Testing

The prostate gland is a small organ located under the pubic bone. The prostate produced a substance that mixes with sperm to create semen. Prostate cells also create proteins that are used to regulate sexual health and other areas of the body. PSA is one of the proteins created in the prostate. PSA is always present in the bloodstream, but above-normal levels could be an indicator for prostate cancer.

If a man shows elevated PSA levels, a doctor will often perform several other tests to determine the presence of cancer- such as the DRE test and the prostate biopsy. A biopsy is a surgery that examines the cells in the prostate for cancer. Only a biopsy can officially determine if a man actually has prostate cancer, but the biopsy itself has side effects, which can still be damaging even without the presence of cancer.

The Risks of Prostate Screening

According to Cancer.gov, there are several risks of prostate screening. These risks are well-documented, but some people may not be aware that screening also has risks. If cancer has already spread to other areas of the body, prostate screening is not going to help lengthen your life or improve your health in any way. Some cancers never cause symptoms or lead to life-threatening conditions.

In some cases, a screening test may find this kind of cancer and the man will undergo cancer treatment. Treating non-symptomatic cancer is known as overdiagnosis. Side effects for treatments like radiation, surgery, and chemotherapy may carry more risks than would have been caused by the original source of cancer. A prostate biopsy can also have side effects, which often include fever, pain, blood in urine, or a urinary tract infection.

Screening can also cause false-negative results, which means that a man may think he is prostate-cancer free even when cancer is present, which will delay treatment of the condition. On the other hand, sometimes PSA tests also show false positives, which can lead to unnecessary treatment for non-existent cancer.

A study from the Yale School of Medicine and the VA Connecticut Healthcare System studied thousands of men who received PSA screenings and men who didn’t. The researchers found that the survival rates of men diagnosed with prostate cancer were no better than those who were never diagnosed.

Should You Screen for Prostate Cancer?

According to a study from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, the number of deaths avoided by screening is small compared with the risks of overtreatment, which can include infections, erectile dysfunction, incontinence, and death. In 2011, prostate cancer was diagnosed in about 250,000 patients and led to 33,700 deaths. Prostate cancer is the second-most common form of cancer in men.

However, the task force argued that uncovering non-symptomatic cancer in men does not prevent many more deaths because of the risks associated with cancer treatments. According to health experts, PSA testing is most beneficial after the age of 50 and before the age of 70. Most prostate cancer is slow-growing, so if you have not been diagnosed by the age of 70, the risks of treatment would outweigh the benefits.

Men who are at a higher risk of developing cancer for other reasons, or who live an unhealthy lifestyle may find more benefit from the test- as will men who suffer from prostate problems- such as trouble urinating and pain in the area. Men who have had a relative diagnosed with prostate cancer and who are in high-risk demographics (typically men with darker skin), may receive more benefit from testing. Men who do not show any symptoms, are not in high-risk categories, and who do not have relatives who were diagnosed with prostate cancer, however; may not benefit from PSA testing.

Rather than issuing a blanket statement that all men should be screened for prostate cancer medical experts now recommend that men approach the issue on a case-by-case basis.

Is it Possible to Protect Prostate Health?

Although many forms of prostate cancer are benign, prostate cancer still kills up to 35,000 men each year- which is an alarmingly high number. Even if PSA testing is not a good indicator for cancer detection, men should still work to protect their prostate health. Luckily, it is not all up to genetics to determine if you get prostate cancer or not. Some scientific evidence has also shown that a specific lifestyle and diet can help reduce cancer risk, and the risk of developing Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), which is an enlargement of the prostate which can cause uncomfortable symptoms like difficulty urinating and urinary tract infections. In severe cases, BPH can also cause kidney problems due to the enlargement blocking the urethra.

Herbal Remedies

Some studies indicate that a variety of herbal remedies may be effective at reducing a man’s risk for developing prostate cancer or BPH. The strongest links are listed below:

Saw Palmetto: Studies show that saw palmetto is effective at reducing prostate enlargement. According to the University of Maryland, saw palmetto can reduce prostate size and prevent the spread of tumors. According to one study, saw palmetto was as effective in treating BPH as the medication finasteride without any of the side effects.

Pygeum Bark: According to studies, there is some evidence that pygeum bark may be effective at treating BPH. The best study examined 263 men between the ages of 50 and 85. The men were given 50 mg of pygeum extract or a placebo each day for several weeks. The men who received the pygeum extract had improved BPH symptoms, such as greater voiding volume, and less frequent nighttime urination.

Nettle Root: Some evidence states that nettle root may be effective for preventing symptoms of prostate enlargement by providing an antiproliferative effect on prostatic cells. One other theory is that nettles block access to human sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG). According to the University of Maryland, some studies have also indicated that stinging nettle can prevent the growth of prostate cancer cells.

Keep Active

According to research conducted by the University of Michigan Medical Center, an active lifestyle can help prevent the risk of BPH and prostate cancer. According to the study results, the same factors that lead to an increased risk for developing heart disease are also the same risk factors that can lead to an increased risk for prostate problems. Factors such as obesity, diabetes, chronic inflammation, and other health problems are all risk factors for developing prostate problems. Keeping active can help keep excess weight off the body and improve cardiovascular health, which reduces the risk for BPH as well.

Eat a Healthy Diet

Just like exercise, eating a healthy diet will contribute to a healthy lifestyle and reduce the risk of developing prostate cancer and BPH. Eating a healthy diet can also reduce the risk of developing diabetes and obesity, which are both risk factors for prostate problems. The best diet includes a variety of nutrient sources full of vegetables, fruits, healthy protein, and grains. Try eating more of the following foods:

PSA Screening: You May Be Better Off Without It

According to recent studies, aggressive treatment of prostate cancer is not always the way to go. In fact, in up to 50 percent of men who get PSA testing, their cancer would not grow large enough to cause problems in their lifetime. Aggressive testing and treatment can lead to overdiagnosis that can lead to the risk of developing other problems. Although PSA testing can save lives when used in the correct way, over-testing may be just as bad for your health.

Instead, work to prevent BPH and other prostate issues by eliminating risk factors that lead to the development of prostate problems. A healthy diet, a healthy weight, and the supplementing of prostate-healing herbs can work together to reduce the need for PSA testing in low-risk men.