The value of screening for prostatic carcinoma: a commentary.
Can routine digital rectal examinations, transrectal ultrasound studies, and prostate-specific antigen determinations reduce deaths from prostatic carcinoma? The evidence is that the benefits of early diagnosis and treatment are at least neutralized by the limited reliability and high monetary and human costs of the test and by the lack of proof that treatment is effective for those tumors detected. One must conclude that universal screening is not now warranted and will await demonstration of effectiveness by controlled studies.
Hinman
F
F
Department of Urology, University of California School of Medicine, San Francisco.
D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000517:prevention & control*; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity