Screening Tests for Adults
Prostate Cancer
Currently in the UK there is no organised screening programme for prostate cancer but an informed choice programme "Prostate Cancer Risk Management" has been introduced. Its aim is to ensure that men who are concerned about the risk of prostate cancer receive clear and balanced information about the advantages and disadvantages of the PSA test and treatment for prostate cancer. This will help men decide whether they want to have the test. General Practitioners have received advice about counselling and supplies of patient information sheets. There is also an online decision aid called PROSDEX that describes the facts clearly and will help you understand the advantages and disadvantages of having your PSA measured. For further information see the NHS Cancer Screening Website.
In the Republic of Ireland, prostate cancer is the most common cancer affecting men. The number of new cases diagnosed in 2005 (year for which most recent data is available) was approximately 2,400. Although the number of new cases of prostate cancer diagnosed between 1994 and 2004 increased, the 5-year survival for men with this disease also increased over this period. In 2006, the National Cancer Forum recommended against population-based PSA screening. Despite this, PSA testing of asymptomatic men is common.
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