Why PSA Testing Matters by Robert Warren Hess The prostate specific antigen (PSA) blood test is a simple screening that indicates the presence of prostate cancer. It isn’t infallible, but it’s very, very good, and it’s widespread use since the 1990’s resulted in 16.1% drop in age-adjusted prostate cancer mortality.* But, beginning in 2009, the US Preventative Services Task Force (USPSTF) began recommending against routine PSA testing over concern about over treatment, resulting in loss of quality of life. This recommendation created a storm of controversy within the medical community and the result was that fewer men chose to have routine prostate cancer screening because the normal standard of care was a PSA blood test and a physical check of the prostate, which many men find uncomfortable. 3 Percent More Men Diagnosed with Advanced Prostate Cancer in 2014 2014 research indicates a rise in men diagnosed with prostate cancer as a result of lower screening rates. The Study shows that an additional 1,400 men likely died from prostate cancer in 2014 as a result.** The issue isn’t that a man knows he has prostate cancer that results in over treatment and loss of quality of life, it’s the treatment decisions […] read more