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There is a difference bedtween population screening and using the PSA test as part of a medical examination which includes a DRE (Digital Rectal Examination)
There is scant evidence that screening the entire male population would signficantly reduce the number of men who die from PCa; there is a good deal of evidence to show that many of the men who would be diagnosed and treated would not benefit from their treatment but would lose a signficant part of their quality of life. Which is why the Australian Cancer association recommend that men be tested with their informed consent and that screening should not be implemented. The Urologist associations world wide have a different point of view, which may be influenced by their financial interests.
The large US study said there was no saving of life: the large Europen study said there was, but a large number of men (the precise estimate is arguable but is probably somewhere between 25 and 85 men) have to be treated over a ten year period to save one life.
There is no certainty to this issue, but men should be fully advised before they start the process of testing.
