Originally published January 17 2006
Urologists study PSA velocity test and find flaws in the results
by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, NaturalNews Editor
Dr. Ian M. Thompson, of the department of urology at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, has co-authored a study that found the PSA velocity test, which measures changes in prostate-specific antigen, to be overly sensitive to lifestyle factors, rendering its results somewhat dubious.
A prostate cancer test that measures changes in prostate-specific antigen (PSA) over time is sensitive to lifestyle and demographic factors that can skew the results, a new study found.
The multiple screenings -- known as "the PSA velocity" test -- to assess PSA level rate changes, differ from the traditional once-a-year PSA test.
"Unlike PSA, which is a pretty good test if it's used appropriately, PSA velocity has not been examined with the same degree of scrutiny, and the velocity appears to be affected more by lifestyle variables," said study co-author Dr. Ian M. Thompson, of the department of urology at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio.
The American Cancer Society recommends that healthy men aged 50 and older undergo yearly PSA blood tests, along with a digital rectal exam.
High-risk patients -- including blacks and men with a father, brother or son diagnosed with prostate cancer before the age of 65 -- are encouraged to begin testing at age 45.
Thompson and his colleagues noted that a decade-plus decline in prostate cancer mortality rates among American men suggests that such advice is being widely heeded.
A growing concern over such false-positive PSA readings for prostate cancer -- which can lead to unnecessary medical procedures including biopsies -- have prompted scientists to explore new, potentially more accurate ways to interpret PSA levels.
Looking at both traditional and velocity PSA testing, Thompson and his colleagues assessed the influence that outside factors have on accuracy by reviewing PSA readings among 3,341 healthy, primarily white men over the age of 55.
Demographic information was reviewed for all the men, including race, age, diet, smoking habits, supplement use, height, weight, body mass index and physical activity habits.
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