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" The government has been advised not to introduce a population-wide screening programme for prostate cancer, as experts believe it could do more harm than good. Scientists at the Sheffield School of Health and Related Research (ScHARR) carried out a study to weigh up the harms, benefits and financial costs of prostate cancer screening using the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test. The test measures an individual&amp;#039;s levels of PSA - a protein that can be raised in men with prostate cancer. However, the test is not particularly accurate, as PSA can also be elevated in men with a non-cancerous enlarged prostate or an infection. This means that some men who receive a positive PSA test result will undergo unnecessary anxiety and further tests before discovering they are cancer-free. In light of the ScHARR team&amp;#039;s research, the UK National Screening Committee (UK NSC) has now recommended against a screening programme for prostate cancer. &amp;#039;I am confident that this is the right decision,&amp;#039; said Dr Anne Mackie, programme director at the UK NSC. &amp;#039;This advice is based on the latest research evidence and informed by a range of groups, including healthcare professionals and patient representatives,&amp;#039; she added. Professor Julietta Patnick, director of the NHS Cancer Screening Programmes, said that men should speak to their GP if they have any concerns and should be given the PSA test if they are over the age of 50 and request it. But the Prostate Cancer Charity said that, while the committee&amp;#039;s decision was unsurprising, it was &amp;#039;extremely disappointing&amp;#039;. Chief executive John Neate explained that, for some men with aggressive prostate cancer but no symptoms, the PSA test offers &amp;#039;the only early indicator of the cancer at a time when effective treatment can be offered&amp;#039;. He added: &amp;#039;This makes it essential that all eligible men are made aware of the test and enabled to make a personal choice about whether it is right for them.&amp;#039; "^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/health-services/news/a20360/experts-advise-against-prostate-screening-programme/>