The rate of prostate screenings and the incidence of prostate cancer diagnoses have both declined sharply in the years since an expert panel issued controversial recommendations that men should no longer have the simple blood test that can reveal the disease, researchers reported Tuesday.
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force concluded in 2012 that the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test caused more harm than good, saving few lives but prompting unnecessary surgery, radiation and side-effects among men who would never die from the often slow-growing cancer. Except for those with high risk for the disease, men should avoid the blood test, the influential panel said.
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