Prostate Latest

The latest advice on screening for prostate cancer is unleashing a heated debate and leaving many men confused. In its final recommendation, a blue-chip U.S. government panel says that healthy men of all ages should no longer get screened for prostate cancer with the PSA test because a resulting diagnosis may do more harm than good.

The panel the risk of side effects like incontinence and erectile dysfunction  from treating prostate tumors that may be too slow-growing to ever cause a problem were more likely than the risk of dying from prostate cancer. But according to Dr. Neil Fleshner, head of urology at the University Health Network, the situation is very different here in Canada.

The American Urological Association and survivors groups also say they are outraged by this decision. Previous guidelines had stated that most men should undergo screening beginning at age 50.