Prostate-Cancer Screening Isn’t Worth Risks, U.S. Panel Says
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A prostate cancer test used by half of men older than 40 isn’t worth the risk of side effects from unnecessary treatment and shouldn’t be used to diagnose the disease, a U.S. panel said, affirming its earlier advice.
Scientific studies suggest the number of deaths avoided by screening are “very small” compared with risks from treatment that can include infections, incontinence, erectile dysfunction and death, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force said. The panel kept its recommendation from October after some doctors and patient groups said discouraging the tests would cost lives.