Founder of the renowned Prostate Seed Institute talks about routine screening for prostate cancer.

Irving, TX, – Recent changes in screening recommendations have put a simple blood test that can help detect prostate cancer back on the table for men who are concerned about their risks for this disease. The prostate-specific antigen test once served as a routine screen recommended for all men. Due to false positive rates and other concerns, this tool was largely taken off the table by the U.S. Preventative Services Task Force back in 2012. That same government body, however, has now relaxed its stance, issuing relaxed recommendations that may make the test more accessible to men.

“The recommendation change doesn’t restore the PSA back to its former status as an across-the-board screen for all men, but it does acknowledge the test’s value in helping gauge the status and health of men who are considered higher risk,” explains Dr. Gregory Echt, founder and lead surgeon at the Prostate Seed Institute. “What the change essentially does is enable men and their doctors to make decisions on whether this test should be performed on a case-by-case basis.”

The PSA is designed to screen for an antigen in blood that is associated with prostate cancer. Elevated test results may indicate the presence of a tumor. Elevated test results, however, may also be associated with other conditions or they may simply be false positives. Despite potential imperfections, however, the PSA remains one of the most effective early screens for prostate cancer. Research has shown its accuracy can be improved by repeating the test before proceeding with more invasive diagnostics, such as biopsies.

The new recommendations are meant to make it easier for men who are at higher risk for prostate cancer to receive the PSA test if they and their doctors deem it necessary. The recommendation change also strongly urges men and their doctors review potential benefits and drawbacks of the test before proceeding.

“The change basically puts the decision-making power for screening back into the hands of individual men and their doctors,” says Dr. Echt. “In doing so, the new recommendations may pave the way for improved detection, early intervention when necessary and better outcomes for men who do have prostate cancer.”

About The Prostate Seed Institute
The Prostate Seed Institute is one of the country’s leading pioneers in prostate cancer treatment including prostate seed implementation, a fast and painless procedure that effectively treats prostate cancer in its earliest stages. With a team of oncology experts and a state-of-the-art facility, the Prostate Seed Institute provides prostate cancer patients with the most comprehensive treatment available. To see the Procedure Comparison Chart and learn more about the Prostate Seed InstituteCLICK HERE.