Other studies have shown that watchful waiting is a reasonable clinical management strategy if a prostate nodule is found. Cantor, Scott, B., et al. The Journal of Family Practice, Vol. Many cancer researchers are becoming concerned about the development of more and more sophisticated screening tests. Other researchers point out that 50 per cent of men have signs of prostate cancer, but nevertheless die from other causes.
Screening tests pick up too many indolent cancers.
Journal of the National Cancer Institute, Vol. Now researchers at the Dallas Veterans Affairs Medical Center report that a single PSA test may not be reliable enough to serve as a basis for the biopsy decision. Their study involved 295 men who had had a PSA test twice within a period of 90 days. They conclude that 10 per cent of all patients having a single PSA test would be told either that everything was OK when in fact they might have cancer or be subjected to an unnecessary biopsy. The researchers recommend that physicians make up their own mind as to the level of error they are comfortable with and then repeat the test accordingly.