New recommendations for prostate cancer testing

Issue: BCMJ, vol. 55, No. 8, October 2013, Page 366 News

New recommendations from Prostate Cancer Canada encourage men to monitor themselves for their number one cancer risk, prostate cancer. A recent poll showed that while 87% of Canadian men over the age of 35 fear prostate cancer, less than half anticipate being tested in the next 12 months, even though early diagnosis can increase the odds of survival. 

Recognizing that men need to be better informed about prostate testing, particularly the prostate specific antigen (PSA) blood test, Prostate Cancer Canada conducted a review of the evidence and concluded that men should get a baseline PSA test in their 40s instead of waiting until their 50s. Because PSA levels can vary among individuals, a test performed in the early 40s can provide a baseline and allow for better-tailored clinical follow-up. The recommendations recognize the PSA as an important marker, given that symptoms are not always present in prostate cancer.

Prostate Cancer Canada also recommends that the decision to end PSA testing should be based on individual risk, rather than an arbitrary cutoff such as age 70, stating that the decision to end testing should be a shared decision determined by a man and his primary care provider.

For more information visit www.prostatecancer.ca/In-The-News/Foundation-News-Releases/Prostate-Canc....

. New recommendations for prostate cancer testing. BCMJ, Vol. 55, No. 8, October, 2013, Page(s) 366 - News.


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