Prostate Cancer Testing - What You Need to Know About Screening For Prostate Cancer

Prostate testing remains controversial. In one camp we have those who are pushing for more testing so that more cancers can be detected. This group feels that prostate cancer is under diagnosed and under treated. In the opposing camp are those who feel prostate testing is not helpful as a screening (as against a diagnostic) test and feel that too many men have unnecessary biopsies and surgery with all the associated risks and possible complications. Interestingly, in this latter group is the inventor of the test.

Whilst stories of men who had their life "saved" by having a PSA test make the headlines, stories of men who have incontinence and impotence after unnecessary surgery do not.

What is the average man to make of this? The issues are not straightforward.

The PSA test measures a protein in the blood, which comes from the prostate gland. Like with all tests there is a statistically defined normal range and this increases with age. There is also a sub set of "free" PSA versus PSA bound to another protein.

In an ideal world a raised PSA would diagnose prostate cancer. It does not. The level can be raised for a number of other reasons including benign enlargement, infection and can be raised by some over the counter medications. The PSA can also be normal even if cancer is present. In medical terms this test is classed as having a high" false" positive and negative rate.

It gets more complicated. There are two types of prostate cancer. One form which is fatal and the other is not. In simplest terms it has been regarded that all men will eventually get cancer cells in the prostate if they live long enough. They will die with not of the cancer. Hence the finding of prostate cancer in someone of 70 is regarded as less serious than in someone of 55. Age whilst a guide, is again not an absolute determinant of the form of cancer. The PSA does not give us any clue either.

The final complication is that in many instances we do not know if treatment makes a difference. In other words in many cases we do not know if a man who has undergone surgery and radiation and lives would have lived just as long without treatment.

There are conflicting trial results too. An Australian study claims that Australian men are under diagnosed and under treated. This is based on the fact that 60% of biopsies were positive for cancer compared to 30% in the USA. It also found that when radical prostatectomy was performed that 5% had "insignificant " cancer compared to 25% in the USA. This could also be interpreted, as showing that there is better case selection for surgery in Australia.

Once again it would be simple if the finding of cancer and treatment meant a better and longer life. A large American trial over ten years showed PSA screening did not reduce death rates in men over 55. A European study showed a small decrease in death rates. For every 48 operations there was an increased survival of one. This means 47 men had surgery, which can cause incontinence and impotence for no net gain.

The Australian study is being promoted by the Urological Society, which advocates PSA testing for all men over 40. It is worth remembering that their members earn a living from biopsies and surgery. This does not make their advice wrong but they have a vested interest. Other Australian groups recommend screening after 60 or no screening at all.

The tests inventor, Richard J Albin went public saying he never intended the test to be used as a screening tool and claims the original FDA approval was based on it detecting 3.8% of Prostate cancers. Whilst the case rate of Prostate cancer in the USA is 16% there is only a 3% death rate from it.

So to get back to our question of what are we to make of this? The simple answer is we do not know. Those who claim to have the answer need to be treated with great skepticism. Those who claim they are about "saving lives" need to be treated the same. Those who downplay the not insignificant costs in human terms of over treatment are not doing us any favors.

Ultimately the decision needs to come down to the individual based on his circumstances. Factors like family history and symptoms need to be considered. If a PSA is done and is raised it should certainly be repeated before further action is considered. Men need to be aware that it is not black and white; that a positive test may mean nothing and a negative test does not mean absolutely no cancer.

Whilst it would be nice to be able to offer a simple one size fits all advisory, I do not believe this is possible. Hence beware of those who do particularly if they stand to gain monetarily from it.

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Steps to Setting Up a Colon Cancer Screening Test

Do you know which form of cancer is the second leading cause of deaths in the United States? Believe it or not, that would be colorectal cancer. Many of these cases are because the cancer was found too late to be cured or the symptoms of it were missed entirely. This is important because it can all be avoided since colorectal cancer, if found early enough, can usually be cured by surgery.

Doctors and specialists use various screening tests to look for this cancer in people even when they don't exhibit any symptoms. It so happens that in many cases these sometimes unneeded tests are the ones which find the colorectal cancers at an early stage and thus saving lives. Early discovery acan greatly improve the chances of successful treatment. Another reason physicians recommend screening tests is they can find and remove polyps that can become cancerous. Here are a few more ways you can schedule a screening test for colon cancer:

Schedule an appointment to see your family doctor. They can listen to any symptoms you may be experiencing and advise a colon cancer screening test such as a digital rectal exam. From that they can make a judgment. It's is also a good idea to schedule one anyway as a part of a routine check up.

Sit down with your doctor and go over all available options. Some of the more screening methods include tests such as a colonoscopy, virtual colonoscopy, DNA-based stool test, sigmoidoscopy, fecal occult blood testing and a double, contrast barium enema. These all can be recommended for you to undergo.

Find a gastroenterologist close to or at least a physician specializing in the gastrointestinal system. They can perform a colonoscopy for you. You are better off finding a specialist for this since this test is a little more invasive than the other screening options.

Have a colonoscopy performed if begin to feel some of the symptoms of colon cancer. Symptoms of colon cancer usually mean that you are well past the screening stage. Your doctor should start a diagnosis process instead. If your earlier screening tests came back positive, then your doctor should schedule another colonoscopy.

Be aware of any and all risk factors associated with colon cancer. Most doctors recommend anyone over the age of 50 to have a colonoscopy performed at least once every three to five years. There are other screening tests which can be given annually but thats because they are less invasive.

If you or anyone in your family has a history of cancer, polyps or irritable bowel syndrome, then it is a wise decision to be tested at an earlier age and not wait till your 50 especially if you have a lifestyle which puts you at risk. When your doctor talks about an at risk lifestyle, he is referring to a diet low in fruits and vegetables, smoking, alcohol and lack of exercise. These can all increase your risk of developing colon cancer.

So you can see why living a healthy lifestyle is so important and why you need to exercise more as well as eat better. All of these things will significantly lower your risk of developing colon cancer right from the start. If you are one of those who fall under the unhealthy lifestyle, it still isn't too late for you to change your ways.

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Screening Procedure For Colon Cancer

Another helpful technique in diagnosing colon cancer is the stool-guaiac test or occult stool blood test which helps the doctor detect blood in your stool that is invisible to the naked eye. You should have one annually after the age of 50.

The results of this test will determine whether you need other screening procedures for colon cancer such as proctosigmoidoscopy and colonoscopy. What are these tongue-twisters?

In the former, the doctor uses a flexible, lighted tube called a proctosigmoidoscope to examine the lower portion of the colon and rectum - the area where cancers are usually found. This should be done initially at the age of 45 and every other year thereafter depending on your condition. For those with a family history of the disease, more frequent tests are required.

"Almost 50 percent of all colorectal cancer or polyps can be seen during such an examination. In addition, diagnosis of other diseases such as Crohn's or ulcerative colitis can be made with this instrument. Samples of tissue can be taken through the instrument for later examination under a microscope (biopsy)," said Dr. David E. Larson, editor-in-chief of the "Mayo Clinic Family Health Book."

Colonoscopy, on the other hand, examines the entire colon using a somewhat similar instrument called a fiberoptic endoscope. This gives a clear view of the lining of the colon from the anus to the cecum (the beginning of the large bowel located in the right lower portion of the abdomen).

The endoscope also permits the physician to remove polyps and to search for a cause of chronic or acute bleeding when other tests have failed to do so.

In about half of cases, surgery can cure colon cancer. How extensive this will be depends on the location and size of the cancerous growth. The surgeon may remove the tumor and rejoin healthy pieces of the rectum so the patient can function normally. Or he may remove the entire rectum and create an artificial opening called a stoma on the abdominal wall for stool to pass out. This happens in about 20 percent of cases.

Additional treatment in the form of chemotherapy and radiation may follow. For cancer that has spread to the lungs, little can be done.

"In summary, remember, the key to the cure of colon cancer is early detection and immediate removal of the polyp or tumor. Follow-up chemotherapy and immunotherapy, even if malignancy appears to have been totally cut out, have also been shown to be effective," concluded Dr. Isadore Rosenfeld of the New York Hospital - Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in "The Best Treatment."

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Screening procedures for colorectal cancer

Another helpful method in the diagnosis of colorectal cancer is the chair or stool guaiac test occult blood test to detect the doctor, blood in stool, which is invisible to the naked eye, can help. You should have one years after the age of 50 years.

The results of this test will determine whether you need other screening procedures for colorectal cancer as proctosigmoidoscopy and colonoscopy. What are these tongue twisters?

In the former, the doctor uses a flexible,lighted tube called proctosigmoidoscope found on the lower part of the colon and rectum to examine - the area where the cancers tend to be. This should first be made between the ages of 45 and every two years thereafter, depending on your condition. For those with a family history of disease, more frequent examinations are required.

"Nearly 50 percent of all colorectal cancer or polyps may be seen during such an inspection. In addition, diagnosis of other diseases such as Crohn's disease orUlcerative colitis can be made with this instrument. Samples of tissue can be taken by the instrument for later examination under a microscope (biopsy), "said Dr. David E. Larson, editor-in-Chief of the" Mayo Clinic Family Health Book. "

Colonoscopy, on the other hand, examines the entire colon with a somewhat similar instrument called the fiber-optic endoscope. This gives a clear overview of the lining of the colon from the anus to the cecum (the beginning of the colonlocated in the lower right part of the abdomen).

The endoscope allows the physician to remove polyps, and for a cause of chronic or acute bleeding, when other attempts have failed to seek to do so.

Can be conducted in about half of cases, surgery to cure colon cancer. How big this is depends on the location and size of the cancer. The surgeon can remove the cancer and once again healthy parts of the rectum, so the patient can function normally. Or he can remove theentire rectum and create an artificial opening called a stoma on the abdomen for stool to pass. This occurs in about 20 percent of cases.

Additional treatments in the form of chemotherapy and radiation to follow. For cancer that has spread to the lungs, little can be done.

"In summary, it must be, remember, the key to the cure of colorectal cancer is early detection and immediate removal of polyps or tumors. Follow-up chemotherapy and immunotherapy, although malignancyseems to have been completely cut out, have also shown to be effective, "concluded Dr. Isadore Rosenfeld of the New York Hospital - Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center," is the best treatment. "

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Colon Cancer Screening 101

Why cancer is so important? Since the colon or large intestine or bowel, includes the last phase of the digestive tract, it stores food from the small intestine that are not digestible. This forms toxins on the colon's walls that can lead to problems such as constipation. The toxins can keep parasites can cause diseases to form in the body.

Colorectal cancer is a malignant tumor that forms from the largeInner intestinal wall. The tumor tissue attack, which is nearby, and has spread to other parts of the body. Polyps are benign tumors, ie, they contain no cancer. They do not threaten life and can be easily removed. You can become cancerous if not taken care of in time.

A type of colorectal cancer screening method for occult blood tests, conducted on a chemical basis, and in the stool samples for occult blood in sight - the amountso small that they are not seen with the naked eye alone. The tests to check three different patterns. If the test is positive, the patient performed a colonoscopy to look for anomalies.

If no deviations are found, the next step is an examination of the stomach and small intestine to see whether they are potential sources of bleeding. There is also a screening tool called flexible sigmoidoscopy, which a fiber optic viewing tube that the light used, used at its head. This method deals with thePart of the rectum and the colon, closest to the rectum. Approximately half of colorectal cancers and polyps found in the vicinity of the viewing area of the sigmoidoscope.

Modern technology allows for virtual colonoscopy. These colon cancer screening method used, the images of the colon, which are collected as seen during a colonoscopy. A scanner is used to produce two-dimensional images, rather than a direct view through theColonoscope.

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