The debate over prostate-specific antigen (PSA) testing for prostate cancer has been prolonged, public, and sometimes acrimonious. Despite this, a common theme is present in most evidence-based guidelines produced to date: while population-based screening cannot be advocated currently, individuals considering a test should be fully informed about the pros and cons and make their own decisions. 1-3 The US Preventive Services Taskforce adds that individuals “be assisted in considering their personal preference and risk profile”.4 However, none of these guidelines address the issue of how to ensure such “informed choice”.
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- Urology Unit, Repatriation General Hospital, Daw Park, SA.
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- 10. O’Connor AM, Stacey D, Entwistle V, et al. Decision aids for people facing health treatment or screening decisions [update of Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2001; (3): CD001431]. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2003; (2): CD001431.
- 11. “Is it my Prostate, Doc?” A guide for general practitioners. Canberra: National Health and Medical Research Council, 1997. Available at: www.health.gov.au/nhmrc/publications/pdf/cp43.pdf (accessed Mar 2004).
- 12. Holmberg L, Bill-Axelson A, Helgesen F, et al. A randomized trial comparing radical prostatectomy with watchful waiting in early prostate cancer. N Engl J Med 2002; 347: 781-789.