New Zealand to outline pros and cons of prostate cancer testing in new guidelines:
This article was originally published in Clinica
Executive Summary
New Zealand is to outline the pros and cons of the prostate specific antigen (PSA) diagnostic blood test in a new guidance document to be developed early next year. Currently, New Zealand does not recommend routine screening without symptoms. Along with other countries such as the US it has found that the test is not 100% accurate. It may miss some cancers or detect some slow-growing prostate cancers, which may not prove life threatening, in which case detection results in unnecessary anxiety, further tests or treatment that may be harmful or uncomfortable. The advice, to be jointly developed by the Prostate Cancer Foundation and the ministry of health, will enable patients and doctors to make an informed decision on whether to undergo a test or not.