That is of little relevance to the nearly 40,000 men who die every year in the United States from this terrible disease. When the definitive clinical trials to determine if screening reduces mortality complete in 2008 over 300,000 additional men will have died of prostate cancer. I can t estimate the suffering. The PSA test can be an early indicator of prostate cancer. It must be used wisely.
Mortality is only one issue.
Quality and duration of life are key as well. All of the leading doctors who specialize in the treatment of prostate cancer recommend screening, other than for men who are facing death from some other condition. Screening is badly in need of more discriminating guidelines. It is unclear what additional value the digital rectal exam offers. A PSA test is relatively inexpensive.