Bad analogy.

In many locales, not using the seatbelt violates the law and has legal liability consequences if you are injured in an accident and sue for damages, as well as the possibility of a ticket.

Taking or not taking a PSA test has no legal or criminal consequences.

I have no insurance so they don't even recommend anything to me. I used to have insurance and they recommended tests for things I didn't know existed. Always believed many tests were simply income generators. So no.

The point was not about legalities of particular jurisdictions. Instead of diverting attention to some tangent, addressing (or not responding to) the point would be more useful.

But based on past practice they very well may. That is what much of the fuss was about on mammograms. If a particular procedure or test is not approved it is pretty common for insurance companies to then decide not to pay for that item. That reduces the number of people taking the test and, in turn, revenue to the company's producing the test material. Then the company's profit goals may not be met and production canceled.

Another consequence is that the test will continue to be marketed by the manufacturer but people won't be able to afford the price; even the $100 you mention.

Nope, I'd much prefer emphasis be placed on better analysis of test results rather than what appears to be current practice of automatically jumping to intrusive follow on procedures even though those are more profitable to the medical providers.

9 out of 10 Feminists agree: Money spent on PSA and other prostate cancer screening is money wasted.

thats as long as they can buy batteries for their vibrators,,,

Or have the 120 volt AC, industrial-strength ones.

If anybody has posted this link before, I apologize. It's from one of the foremost urologists in the U.S. http://urology.jhu.edu/prostate/PSA_controversy2.php

I'm in the position where the PSA test flagged a biopsy, which in turn found cancer. The biopsy wasn't fun, but it also wasn't the worst thing in my life. It's something you get over in a short time and get on with things. Same with the surgery. The surgery has created side effects, but not horrible, and getting better all the time. Had I not had PSA testing, I probably wouldn't have had symptoms for 4-5 years, and a less favorable long term prognosis.

I'm beginning to believe this task force is getting overly driven by statistics, which can't reasonably be extrapolated out to encompass everybody. First the mammogram recommendation of a few years ago, the PSA recommendation, now their pap smear recommendation for women over 65.

It's all about the $$$ and has little, if anything, to do with good individual medical care. Welcome to the future of medicine, and yes, it IS one step closer to "death by committee."

I wouldn't presume to tell anyone whether they should have either a digital exam or the PSA laboratory test. Personal choices are just that. As for me I have both yearly, Primary Care MD does the manual exam as a matter of normal business. It has never showed up on any itemized statement. I'd pay anyway. The PSA is tested yearly at my request.

I have a family history of extremely aggressive prostate cancer and for cancer in general through my mother's linage. Her brother died after having the cancer detected early, the radioactive seeds implanted and all follow up treatment. The cancer still spread, and spread very quickly. He died in a year. My mother, her brother I detailed above and 2 sisters have had cancer and 1 died from ovarian cancer in less than 8 months from diagnosis. My mom has had cancer of the colon twice and once in a kidney.

I'll take the test exam as scheduled and should cancer ever be found I'll do my usual in depth research (I am an engineer and have really severe Engineer's Disease:innocent:) and get other doctor's opinions before I would decide which course of treatment to use. After all of the problems I have had since 2000 and 16 major surgeries (12 having small intestine resections) I want to know what is lurking early and take action as I find fit.

Each of us has to make their own decision on tests and exams as well as treatment should it become necessary. This discussion in the thread is good and gives a lot of things to think about, read and research. Dnvr did us a favor on bringing this up and every reply has been something for me to consider. I always come back to Stapfam when I think of prostate cancer and his case sends me a strong message.

Thanks to everyone for letting me respond and for everyone's input in this thread.

Bill

Link to comments about the new testing recommendations from Dr. William Catalona, one of the most highly regarded Uros treating PCa.

http://malecare.org/william-j-catalo...ostate-cancer/

Dan

I'll be continuing with mine.

Agree. As mentioned before, we're Big Boys now and can read the instructions and make up our own minds...and live with the decision. This applies to our own health, politics, religion and all other aspects of our lives. [Gods, I've GOT to stop watching 50+ forum and focus on real cycling! Note to self.]