Canadian Cancer Society-funded study adds important information to early PSA screening issue

08  July  2005
TORONTO -

Canadian researchers have found that screening men with the Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) test before any symptoms of cancer are evident may reduce their risk of getting metastatic prostate cancer by 35 per cent. Funded in part by the Canadian Cancer Society, the new research is published today in the Journal of Urology.

“This is welcome news for Canadian men because it suggests that early PSA screening may reduce the risk of metastatic prostate cancer. Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among men in this country,” says Dr. Barbara Whylie, CEO, Canadian Cancer Society.

In this population-based case-controlled study, medical records and self-reported data from 236 men with metastatic prostate cancer were compared to those of 462 men who did not have prostate cancer, or whose prostate cancer had not metastasized. The history of PSA screening as well as factors including age, weight, smoking and alcohol use were also compared between the two groups of Toronto-area men.

“We found a significant reduction in metastatic prostate cancer among men who were screened early with the PSA test. As death from prostate cancer is often due to its spread or metastases to other parts of the body, this study adds to the body of evidence that screening - before any symptoms of prostate cancer are present - can reduce the risk of death from this disease," says Dr. Vivek Goel, professor of health policy, management and evaluation at the University of Toronto.

“Screening for prostate cancer is a complex issue, so these results are clinically important for men and their doctors,” adds lead author Dr. Jacek Kopec of the University of British Columbia in Vancouver. “While more research is needed, this study also suggests that screening with the PSA test may be especially effective in reducing the risk of metastaic prostate cancer in younger men.”

The PSA test is a blood test used to detect and follow the progress of prostate cancer. While this antigen is normally found in small quantities in the blood, prostate problems such as cancer can cause PSA levels to rise.

Adds Dr. Whylie, “The results of this study are interesting and add to the body of evidence about the PSA test. We look forward to the results of two other large, ongoing trials to validate these findings. In the meantime, we will continue to encourage men to discuss this test with their doctors until more definitive answers about the benefits of the PSA test are available.”

Prostate cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer among Canadian men. This year, an estimated 20,500 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer and 4,300 will die of the disease.

The Canadian Cancer Society recommends that all men over the age of 50 years discuss with their doctor the potential benefits and risks of early detection of prostate cancer using the PSA test so that they can make informed decisions about screening.

The Canadian Cancer Society is a national community-based organization of volunteers whose mission is to eradicate cancer and to enhance the quality of life of people living with cancer. When you want to know more about cancer, visit our website www.cancer.ca or call our toll-free, bilingual Cancer Information Service at 1 888 939-3333.

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For more information, please contact:

Judy Noordermeer

Senior Communications and Marketing Officer

Canadian Cancer Society/National Cancer Institute of Canada

Phone:  (416) 934-5691