title: Prostate-specific antigen screening: a critical review of current research and guidelines.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Screening for prostate cancer (adenocarcinoma of the prostate), using the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test is controversial among health professionals and organizations who publish screening guideline recommendations for healthcare professionals. Controversy stems from conflicting research studies regarding the efficacy of PSA screening with regard to improved survival rates. This article serves as a critical review of the current guidelines and research to determine which screening practices may be most beneficial to utilize with patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  Literature review of evidence for and against using the PSA test as a screening tool published from 2007 to 2012.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Some earlier evidence is currently used to support the guideline recommendations published by professional organizations that recommend against routine screening of asymptomatic men. However, the majority of the latest research demonstrates consistent results showing a reduction in mortality associated with PSA screening.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Initiating screening at age 40, to obtain a baseline value, is recommended for primary care providers and is supported by the most recent evidence.
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina.
authors.forename: James G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Robinson
authors.forename: Eric A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Hodges
authors.forename: Jean
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Davison
mesh_terms: D055317:Evidence-Based Practice; D017408:Guidelines as Topic / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000379:methods*; D017430:Prostate-Specific Antigen / Q000032:analysis / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis*; D014481:United States
chemical_list: D017430:Prostate-Specific Antigen
keywords: Cancer; guideline development; male; screening