Public Comment Sought on Draft Prostate Cancer Screening Recommendation || NCI Cancer Bulletin for October 18, 2011 - National Cancer Institute

 

Public Comment Sought on Draft Prostate Cancer Screening Recommendation

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) last week issued a draft recommendation against using the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test to screen healthy men for prostate cancer if they do not have symptoms “that are highly suspicious for prostate cancer.”

The draft recommendation was based on a review of findings from clinical trials of prostate cancer screening and clinical trials and cohort studies of treatment for prostate cancers diagnosed primarily on the basis of PSA screening. The recommendation does not cover PSA testing as part of “a diagnostic strategy in men with symptoms that are highly suspicious for prostate cancer,” the Task Force wrote, or “the use of the PSA test for surveillance after diagnosis and/or treatment of prostate cancer.”

A public comment period on the draft recommendation is open until November 8. Comments should address the draft recommendation “and how the [USPSTF] decisions are communicated,” the Task Force explained.
Comments may be submitted via the USPSTF website or via mail to Dr. Robert Cosby,
c/o USPSTF, 540 Gaither Road, Rockville, MD 20850.
NCI Cancer Bulletin for October 18, 2011 - National Cancer Institute