PROCURE RESPONDS TO RECENT REPORTS ABOUT THE PSA TEST FOR PROSTATE CANCER

MONTREAL, Sept. 22 /CNW Telbec/ - This week is Prostate Cancer Awareness Week,  PROCURE, the only non-for-profit organization solely dedicated to prostate cancer in the province of Quebec was formed to provide information and support as well as to spearhead research into this silent killer.   

Recently, there have been some controversial studies reported in the media about the PSA test for prostate cancer. Members of PROCURE's Board of Directors: Dr. Armen Aprikian, Dr. Fred Saad and Dr. Luc Valiquette set the record straight.   

Here is their position about the controversial PSA test: 

At present, the PSA test is the best test available to screen for prostate cancer, but it is not perfect. It helps to find prostate cancer early and prevent death, but does not tell us who to treat, how and when. The real problem though, is not with the PSA test itself. It's all about what is done with the results.  

Testing every male for prostate cancer no matter what age and no matter what their history just does not make sense. On the other hand, not testing patients because the test is not perfect also does not make sense.

This test is simply not black and white. There are lots of nuances in its results and how to interpret and act on them. Sometimes there is no need to ask for the test: if there is no possibility of treating prostate cancer in an individual who may be of an advanced age and may have other existing conditions, it may not make sense to administer the PSA test.

When the PSA test was first introduced in the late 1980's, physicians did not have the knowledge that they have today with respect to how to act based on its results. Today this test is used judiciously in most cases to the point that we rarely see advanced prostate cancers in an emergency situation. That, in and of itself, demonstrates the value of the test if used properly. And although most patients with prostate cancer are being treated, more and more patients with prostate cancer are being followed without active treatment.

We recommend that you, at minimum, speak to your doctor about the pros and cons of having the PSA test and a digital rectal exam if you are over the age of 50. You may even consider starting to do so at 40 if you have a family history of prostate cancer.

Armen G. Aprikian, M.D.,  F.R.C.S.C.: Urologist at MUHC, Director, Department of urology, Interim Director, Department of oncology, Professor, Division of Urology at MUHC & Leader of the PROCURE Quebec Prostate Cancer Biobank committee

Fred Saad, M.D., F.R.C.S.C.: Uro-oncologist at CHUM, Professor, Department of surgery, Medical Director, Interdisciplinary Urologic Oncology Group, University of Montreal Endowed Chair in Prostate Cancer Research & Head, Urologic Oncology, CHUM

Luc Valiquette, M.D., F.R.C.S.C.:  Urologist at CHUM, Professor and Director, Department of surgery, University of Montreal, Medical Advisor, Clinical information systems & Chair of PROCURE'S Clinical Advisory Council.

For more information visit www.procure.ca, members of the public are invited to send their general questions to [email protected] and a member of PROCURE's clinical advisory committee will respond. 

For further information:

For interviews call:
Stephanie Lyttle/ Roch Landriault
514-843-2365/ 514-843-2345