December/January 2010/2011 (vol. 07/4)

ContentsFeaturesNewsLegal NewsResearch DigestResearch PlusCPD

Research Plus

Men’s health – PSA screening

A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials found no evidence to support routine screening for prostate cancer using prostate specific antigen (PSA). Six studies met inclusion criteria. The studies included more than 387,000 participants, and covered age ranges of 45–50, 50–69, 55–69, 55–74 and 50–64 years. Screening was associated with a statistically significant 46% increased chance of receiving a diagnosis of prostate cancer, but there was no effect of screening on death from prostate cancer or overall mortality. The review notes that none of the trials looked at the effect of screening on quality of life or the potential harms associated with screening.

British Medical Journal 2010; 341: c4543.

Tags

Occupational Health at Work December/January 2010/2011 (vol. 07/4) pp44