Prostate cancer screenings using a controversial but widespread test are harming “significantly more men” than it helps, a preliminary report published on Monday revealed.
Researchers at the German Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG) found that the benefits of prostate cancer screening using the PSA test are outweighed by disadvantages including false-positive results and overdiagnosis.
Prostate cancer was ranked the third most common cancer among Emirati men in 2011. Around 4,500 new cancer cases are recorded each year in the UAE and the country aims to reduce cancer fatalities by nearly 18 per cent by 2021.
“The screening does benefit some men by saving or delaying exposure to metastatic cancer. In return, however, significantly more men have to reckon with permanent incontinence and permanent impotence due to overdiagnosis and over-therapy, and this at a relatively young age,” the IQWiG said.
The PSA method of screening for prostate cancer measures levels of a protein called prostate specific antigen. If elevated levels of the protein are detected, a prostate biopsy can then be performed to take a tissue sample for further testing.
However, increased levels of the protein can often also be found in healthy men.
“PSA levels can go up for various reasons,” explained Dr Zaki Almallah from Abu Dhabi’s Cleveland Clinic, meaning “interpretation is riddled with difficulties”.
Biopsies following an initial test can then lead to infections and other complications.
“Screening measures can cause considerable damage,” said IQWiG head Jürgen Windeler.
“PSA screening in particular, results in a considerable number of overdiagnoses, which are stressful in themselves,” he said.
The screening technique, Mr Windeler explained, can lead to over treatment as most forms of prostate cancer are symptomless, causing “serious and long-lasting complications such as incontinence and impotence”.
“It is generally recommended that men with urinary symptoms or with a family history of prostate cancer get a PSA test,” said Dr Almallah.
“However, there is a genuine concern about over-diagnosis and subsequent overtreatment of prostate cancer, hence the recommendations are that men should be counselled thoroughly on the benefits and the risks involved in the process of diagnosis as well as the subsequent treatment,” he said.
The German report states that around two per cent of men who undergo prostate biopsies go on to experience complications.
The findings were based on 11 trials spanning an observation period of around 20 years.
More than 400,000 participants took part in total and the study did not show a notable change in the mortality rates among those screened for the cancer.
“Men who are not suspected of prostate cancer should not be offered organised prostate cancer screening using the PSA test,” Mr Windeler warned.
The IQWiG says it is “in good company” as almost all national health authorities and specialist societies worldwide speak out against population-based PSA screening.
Worldwide, prostate cancer is the second most commonly occurring cancer in men, with 1.3 million cases reported in 2018, according to statistics from the World Cancer Research Fund.
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League semi-final, first leg
Tottenham 0-1 Ajax, Tuesday
Second leg
Ajax v Tottenham, Wednesday, May 8, 11pm
Game is on BeIN Sports
At a glance
- 20,000 new jobs for Emiratis over three years
- Dh300 million set aside to train 18,000 jobseekers in new skills
- Managerial jobs in government restricted to Emiratis
- Emiratis to get priority for 160 types of job in private sector
- Portion of VAT revenues will fund more graduate programmes
- 8,000 Emirati graduates to do 6-12 month replacements in public or private sector on a Dh10,000 monthly wage - 40 per cent of which will be paid by government
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Five%20calorie-packed%20Ramadan%20drinks
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERooh%20Afza%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3E100ml%20contains%20414%20calories%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETang%20orange%20drink%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3E100ml%20serving%20contains%20300%20calories%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ECarob%20beverage%20mix%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3E100ml%20serving%20contains%20about%20300%20calories%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EQamar%20Al%20Din%20apricot%20drink%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3E100ml%20saving%20contains%2061%20calories%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EVimto%20fruit%20squash%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3E100ml%20serving%20contains%2030%20calories%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Why does a queen bee feast only on royal jelly?
Some facts about bees:
The queen bee eats only royal jelly, an extraordinary food created by worker bees so she lives much longer
The life cycle of a worker bee is from 40-60 days
A queen bee lives for 3-5 years
This allows her to lay millions of eggs and allows the continuity of the bee colony
About 20,000 honey bees and one queen populate each hive
Honey is packed with vital vitamins, minerals, enzymes, water and anti-oxidants.
Apart from honey, five other products are royal jelly, the special food bees feed their queen
Pollen is their protein source, a super food that is nutritious, rich in amino acids
Beewax is used to construct the combs. Due to its anti-fungal, anti-bacterial elements, it is used in skin treatments
Propolis, a resin-like material produced by bees is used to make hives. It has natural antibiotic qualities so works to sterilize hive, protects from disease, keeps their home free from germs. Also used to treat sores, infection, warts
Bee venom is used by bees to protect themselves. Has anti-inflammatory properties, sometimes used to relieve conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, nerve and muscle pain
Honey, royal jelly, pollen have health enhancing qualities
The other three products are used for therapeutic purposes
Is beekeeping dangerous?
As long as you deal with bees gently, you will be safe, says Mohammed Al Najeh, who has worked with bees since he was a boy.
“The biggest mistake people make is they panic when they see a bee. They are small but smart creatures. If you move your hand quickly to hit the bees, this is an aggressive action and bees will defend themselves. They can sense the adrenalin in our body. But if we are calm, they are move away.”
APPLE IPAD MINI (A17 PRO)
Display: 21cm Liquid Retina Display, 2266 x 1488, 326ppi, 500 nits
Chip: Apple A17 Pro, 6-core CPU, 5-core GPU, 16-core Neural Engine
Storage: 128/256/512GB
Main camera: 12MP wide, f/1.8, digital zoom up to 5x, Smart HDR 4
Front camera: 12MP ultra-wide, f/2.4, Smart HDR 4, full-HD @ 25/30/60fps
Biometrics: Touch ID, Face ID
Colours: Blue, purple, space grey, starlight
In the box: iPad mini, USB-C cable, 20W USB-C power adapter
Price: From Dh2,099
