Prostate Cancer : Cancer Test Only In The Hands Of Doctors

Cancer test only in the hands of doctors
Villages (ots) - "It can not be that pharmacists now the pilot for the early detection of prostate cancer using a controversial method for determining the PSA ," commented Dr. KLAUS SCHALK HOUSES, president of the Professional Association of German Urologists (BDU ) , and Prof . Dr. LOTHAR Hertle , Secretary General of the German Society of Urology ( DGU) , a prostate screening action of the pharmacist. "Early detection of prostate cancer is a purely medical measure and should not , get out , perhaps for commercial reasons , in non- medical hands."The Prostate cancer is the most common malignant tumor . Prostate specific antigen (PSA ) , meanwhile a simple and safe examination of blood serum allows for early detection of curable prostate cancers , the discovery that can not be discovered otherwise so far . With a broad-based advertising now organizing the company Hoyer- Madaus GmbH ( Monheim ) , under the responsibility of the pharmacist , a " precautionary action check for men." It is only determined by a rapid test strip ( URALEN ) by a drop of blood from the fingertip , the PSA quality . The test offered in pharmacies leave only the conclusion whether the PSA was " normal" or " elevated" . It could be charged as false - positive and false- negative findings .
The boards of directors of the Professional Association of German Urologists (BDU ) and the German Society of Urology ( DGU) therefore strongly warned against the test persons should not feel safe when a " normal findings " levied by the pharmacist . Until the science-based limit value of the PSA of 4.0 ng / ml " responding" not this PSA rapid test. In large investigative series was, however, demonstrated that despite a normal PSA finding a prostate cancer is present at about 10 percent. Not only for these reasons must be the objective for Prostate Cancer early detection , warned against the use of a PSA rapid test . But it must also be noted that studies on the safety of rapid tests have shown that in up to 30 percent not only " false negative " , but also " false- positive " results may be possible , leading to considerable uncertainty among those affected can result .
The screening examination , including a quantitative PSA testing should be performed by qualified doctor after careful information of the man on the benefits , risks and if necessary further investigations . The PSA value in itself an not a diagnosis of prostate cancer is , but the indication for removal of tissue from the prostate to determine how to proceed.
For the PSA screening test URALEN , which is marketed by Hoyer- Madaus , are not reputable (published) before scientific studies on the analytical reliability. Against this background, a completely insufficient data currently can not be issued a recommendation on the use of PSA test strips. BDU and DGU rather require the certification of the PSA test method by the manufacturers and standardization of PSA testing method in the context of quality assurance.