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Age Limit on Prostate Cancer Screening?
Aug. 5, 2008 -- A U.S. government task force says there is no "adequate proof" that routinely screening men over age 75 for prostate cancer leads to fewer deaths.
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force now recommends against routine prostate-specific antigen (PSA) testing for men 75 or older who do not have symptoms, saying there's insufficient evidence that screening improves health outcomes.
"We carefully reviewed the available evidence to measure the benefits and harms of screening for prostate cancer and could not find adequate proof that early detection leads to fewer men dying of the disease," task force chair Ned Calonge, MD, MPH, chief medical officer for the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment in Denver, says in a news release. "At this point, we recommend that men concerned about prostate cancer talk with their health care providers to make a decision based on their individual risk factors and personal preference."
The new recommendations update the panel's 2002 ruling, which concluded that there was not enough evidence to recommend screening for all men.
Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in men ( lung cancer is the first). According to the American Cancer Society, one in six men develop the cancer.
A PSA test can help doctors diagnose early prostate cancer, before symptoms develop. PSA is a protein released by prostate cells. The PSA test reveals how much of this protein is circulating through a man's bloodstream. All men have some amount of PSA in their blood. However, prostate cancer and other prostate disease can cause PSA levels to rise.
Men with prostate cancer might not have an elevated PSA. And the PSA test cannot tell the difference between cancer and a benign condition. A biopsy is needed to confirm cancer. Some scientists argue that routine PSA testing can lead to anxiety and unnecessary biopsies.
"Prostate-specific antigen screening is associated with psychological harms, and its potential benefits remain uncertain," the task force concludes in today's issue of Annals of Internal Medicine. The panel says more conclusive evidence is needed to determine the balance of benefits and harms of prostate screening in men younger than 75.
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Indication
Uroxatral® (alfuzosin HCl 10 mg extended-release tablets) is an alpha1-blocker for the treatment of the signs and symptoms of BPH.
Important Safety Information
Do not take UROXATRAL if you have liver problems or if you are taking antifungal drugs like ketoconazole or itraconazole, or HIV drugs like ritonavir.
UROXATRAL can cause a sudden drop in blood pressure, especially when starting treatment. This may lead to fainting, dizziness, and lightheadedness. Do not drive, operate machinery, or do any dangerous activity until you know how UROXATRAL will affect you. This is especially important if you already have a problem with low blood pressure or take medicines to treat high blood pressure. There may be an increased risk of low blood pressure and fainting when taking UROXATRAL in combination with blood pressure medication or nitrates, or erectile dysfunction medication.
If considering cataract surgery (clouding of the eyes), tell your eye surgeon that you are currently taking UROXATRAL or have previously been treated with an alpha-blocker.
Before taking UROXATRAL, tell your doctor if you have kidney problems.
Also, tell your doctor if you or any family member(s) have or take medications for a rare heart condition known as congenital prolongation of the QT interval.
BPH and prostate cancer can cause the same symptoms. However, UROXATRAL is not a treatment for prostate cancer.
The most common side effects with UROXATRAL are dizziness, upper respiratory tract infection, headache, and tiredness.
Please see UROXATRAL full prescribing information.
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