Understanding Prostate Cancer: The Dangers of Over-Testing and Over-Treatment

The Need for Personal Research in Healthcare

The overzealous medical response to the Covid pandemic has highlighted the importance of individuals conducting their own research into health issues that affect them. It has become evident that obtaining a "second opinion" or even a "third opinion" from doctors may not be sufficient, as they could be misinformed or biased. This issue seems to have existed even before the Covid pandemic.

Prostate Cancer Testing and Treatment: A Case Study

A notable example of this problem is seen in the recent history of prostate cancer testing and treatment. The misuse of the PCR test in the Covid crisis, which led to harmful treatments for those supposedly infected, mirrors the situation with prostate cancer. Two insightful books on this subject are Invasion of the Prostate Snatchers by Dr. Mark Scholz and Ralph Blum, and The Great Prostate Hoax by Richard Ablin and Ronald Piana.

The Controversy Surrounding PSA Testing

Annual PSA testing, which has become mandatory at many institutions, has proven to be a lucrative practice for urologists. These medical professionals can perform profitable biopsies and prostatectomies on patients with PSA test numbers above a certain level. However, Richard Ablin, the inventor of the PSA test, has criticized its widespread use as a diagnostic tool for prostate cancer, stating that it does more harm than good. He also argues that the medical personnel involved in prostate screening and treatment form an industry that has harmed millions of American men.

The FDA's Concerns About the PSA Test

Even during the approval process for the PSA test, the FDA was aware of its potential issues and dangers. The test has a 78% false positive rate, and an elevated PSA level can be caused by various factors other than cancer. Therefore, it is not a reliable test for prostate cancer. Furthermore, a high PSA test score can lead men to undergo unnecessary biopsies and harmful surgical procedures.

The Commercialization of the PSA Test

Despite these concerns, the PSA test has been promoted as a crucial tool in the fight against prostate cancer. In 1999, the Postal Service even circulated a stamp promoting yearly PSA tests. The test became a significant source of income for the Hybritech company. This period also saw the growing influence of pharmaceutical companies on the medical device and drug approval process.

The Slow Progression of Prostate Cancer

While a cancer diagnosis can cause significant anxiety, prostate cancer generally develops very slowly compared to other cancers and does not often pose an immediate threat to life. In most cases, patients with prostate cancer do not die from the disease itself, whether they receive treatment or not. Studies have shown that treatments such as radiation and surgery only reduce mortality in men with prostate cancer by 1% to 2% for low and intermediate-risk disease and by less than 10% for high-risk disease.

The Risks of Prostate Surgery

Despite these findings, prostate surgery is still widely recommended by doctors, particularly in Japan. However, the procedure carries significant risks, including death and long-term impairment. Approximately 1 in 600 prostate surgeries result in the death of the patient, and many others suffer from incontinence and impotence after surgery.

Medical Overkill: A Recurring Issue

The persistent overtreatment mindset in the urology world has led to unnecessary suffering for many men due to excessive PSA screening. This problem of medical overkill has been even more dramatically demonstrated in the Covid crisis. It is crucial for new medical technologies to have proven benefits over the ones they replace before they are introduced to the market.

Bottom Line

The issues surrounding prostate cancer testing and treatment serve as a stark reminder of the importance of personal research and informed decision-making in healthcare. It is crucial to question the benefits and risks of medical procedures and tests, and not to blindly trust the advice of medical professionals. What are your thoughts on this matter? Do you think there is a need for more personal research in healthcare? Share this article with your friends and join the conversation. Don't forget to sign up for the Daily Briefing, which is delivered every day at 6pm.