Large-scale randomised controlled trials in Europe and the United States are informing evidence-based clinical advice
Population-wide prostate-specific antigen (PSA) screening for prostate cancer is not recommended in Australia, primarily because of the lack of large-scale randomised trial evidence of a beneficial effect on prostate cancer mortality and the known harms of overdiagnosis and unnecessary treatment that may ensue. In spite of this, PSA testing is common; the limited evidence available suggests that more than 50% of Australian men over the age of 50 years have had the test.1,2
The full article is accessible to AMA members and paid subscribers. Login to read more or purchase a subscription now.
Please note: institutional and Research4Life access to the MJA is now provided through Wiley Online Library.
- 1 Cancer Epidemiology Research Unit, Cancer Council NSW, Sydney, NSW.
- 2 National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT.
- 3 University of Queensland Centre for Clinical Research, Brisbane, QLD.
- 4 Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital, Brisbane, QLD.
- 5 School of Public Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW.
- 1. Holden CA, McLachlan RI, Pitts M, et al. Men in Australia Telephone Survey (MATeS): a national survey of the reproductive health and concerns of middle-aged and older Australian men. Lancet 2005; 366: 218-224.
- 2. Weber MF, Banks E, Smith DP, et al. Cancer screening among migrants in an Australian cohort; cross-sectional analyses from the 45 and Up Study. BMC Public Health 2009; 9: 144.
- 3. Andriole GL, Grubb RL III, Buys SS, et al. Mortality results from a randomized prostate-cancer screening trial. N Engl J Med 2009; 360: 1310-1319.
- 4. Schröder FH, Hugosson J, Roobol MJ, et al. Screening and prostate-cancer mortality in a randomized European study. N Engl J Med 2009; 360: 1320-1328.
- 5. Barry MJ. Screening for prostate cancer — the controversy that refuses to die. N Engl J Med 2009; 360: 1351-1354.
- 6. Swedish Organised Service Screening Evaluation Group. Reduction in breast cancer mortality from organized service screening with mammography: 1. Further confirmation with extended data. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2006; 15: 45-51.
- 7. Hewitson P, Glasziou P, Irwig L, et al. Screening for colorectal cancer using the faecal occult blood test, Hemoccult. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2007; (1): CD001216.
- 8. Arnold-Reed DE, Hince DA, Bulsara MK, et al. Knowledge and attitudes of men about prostate cancer. Med J Aust 2008; 189: 312-314. <MJA full text>