"If Medicare ever decides that PSA testing is not worth the risks

[still_one]

it will be a death sentence for men like my husband, who is 71 now.

In early 2007, he had a slightly elevated PSA result. His urologist said that it probably wasn't significant, but decided to do a needle biopsy. It showed a particularly invasive type of prostate cancer."

http://pubs.aarp.org/aarpbulletin/201212_DC?pg=36#pg36

You suddenly have studies coming out saying that mammography, colonoscopy, and PSA testing is not effective, makes me wonder if there is a conflict of interest going on

[doc03]

1. I had a scare a couple months ago. My PSA was elevated so my doctor gave me cipro

to take for two weeks and my PSA went back to normal. I mentioned to the doctor that I had heard the PSA test wasn't recommended, he said the government doesn't want to pay for it. My interpretation was he blamed it on Obama-care. But I have read several articles saying it does more harm than good. My dad died from the side effects from his radiation treatments for prostate cancer. From what I have read at his age if they would have just left it alone he would have had a better quality of life and probably lived longer without the treatments.

[still_one]

3. Multiple factors need to be taken into consideration. Not only PSA, but digital exam, and velocity.

As for your Father I am sorry for your loss, however, second opinions are important, and of course a good urologist

PSA is only one of several factors that need to be considered.

[Bigmack]

2. My PSA never jumped at all...

... but then my cancer was really, really, small.

Got it very early. DaVinci robot surgery was great, and no loss of any function.

I agree with the idea that statistically those tests aren't cost effective over the whole population.

Of course, me and mine aren't the whole population... we're not statistics... we're special. I imagine you feel the same way about you and yours.

I will pay myself if I have to.

[still_one]

4. Not by themselves as an absolute value, but if you have several PSA results over several years, and

the change in values is greater than a certain amount, it is advisable to have a biopsy which is an outpatient procedure

[canoeist52]

5. They're just trying to get us used to expecting less health care for our money.

The next meme is that regular check-ups with lab work aren't really necessary.

[OldDem2012]

6. And earlier deaths. Couple that with the possible raising of the age for getting Medicare....

...and there will be less people getting "free gifts" from the US Government.