News: Prostate Test Flaws Prompt New Strategy

Every year, millions of men are screened for prostate cancer with PSA tests – blood tests that measure levels of the protein prostate-specific antigen. Higher PSA levels, especially above 4 nanograms per milliliter of blood, are used to indicate cancer and send men for prostate biopsies.

However, a study of 1,607 prostate biopsies done at New York Presbyterian Hospital from 1993 to 2005 found that PSA scores no longer predict cancer in men whose prostates feel normal to a doctor. Dr. Douglas Scherr, who led the study, noted that they are seeing that the "prostate cancer detection rate has remained the same over time; roughly 30 percent of biopsies find cancer." Dr. Scherr added that they are seeing new urine-based tests, one is called PCA3.

He highly recommends a digital rectal exam to check for cancer. He was undecided whether or not a prostate biopsy test could be our next major screening tool, much the same as colonoscopy is now.