False positives with PSA

One in eight men screened for prostate cancer will test positive when they do not have the disease. A positive result can mean undergoing invasive tests such as biopsy as well as potentially unnecessary treatment. A European study of those screened with prostate specific antigen (PSA) who tested positive but were later found not to have cancer were twice as likely not to agree to screening in the future even though they were at risk of developing the disease later, the British Journal of Cancer reported. Study leader, Dr Tuomas Kilpelainen, said: "I don't think routine screening should be advised until more is known on the adverse effects and costs of screening."