Prostate Cancer Screening

There is a common but mistaken belief among the public that is promoted by certain physicians who benefit financially by pushing early detection screening for prostate cancer. The truth is, promoting the mistaken belief that early prostate cancer detection testing by all men over 50 years of age is beneficial has led to unnecessary worry, unnecessary treatments that cause physical pain, urinary leakage, and impotence and incontinence. Richard J. Ablin invented today's popular PSA test 40 years ago in 1970. Of that test he recently wrote an article for the New York Times March 9, 2010 entitled, "The Great Prostate Mistake." In the article he states, "Even then, the test is hardly more effective than a coin toss." He poses the questions, "So why is it still used? Because drug companies continue peddling the tests and advocacy groups push 'prostate cancer awareness' by encouraging men to get screened..., the outcome pushed by those who stand to profit." He goes on to say, "I never dreamed that my discovery four decades ago would lead to such a profit-driven public health disaster."

Andrew M. D. Wolf, MD and his American Cancer Society (ACS) colleagues wrote, "The ACS recommends that asymptomatic men who have at least a 10-year life expectancy have an opportunity to make an informed decision (emphasis added) with their health care provider about screening for prostate cancer after they receive information about the uncertainties, risks, and potential benefits associated with prostate cancer screening. Prostate cancer screening should not occur without an informed decision-making process. Men at average risk should receive this information beginning at age 50 years."

Too many men today have undergone the tests without any need or even indication that they are at risk. It seems that some doctors assume that any male over the age of 50 should be screened, in spite of well-documented problems associated with screening. A follow-up statement of the ACS said, "The ACS guidelines., state that there are definite uncertainties regarding the efficacy of prostate cancer screening, there are known risks associated with it... In these guidelines, the ACS has taken a clear position discouraging routine or mass screening and encouraging a discussion within the physician-patient relationship."
So what do you need to know about preventing poor prostate health and arresting and reversing one of the slowest growing diseases that face men? Honest doctors should all know that testing does more harm than good in well over 90% of those screened. Moreover, those who have a fatal form of this disease are already beyond reach of current therapies at the time of diagnosis. In other words, if you qualify for treatment, it's already too late to do you any good. Moreover, treatments remain barbaric, most often leaving men impotent and incontinent. Your best bet for preventing this issue that affects men, is to limit animal-based food consumption to 10% of your diet or 200 calories per day for the average American, to also eliminate all processed and refined foods and oils from your diet, and to center your diet around whole seasonal fruits and non-starchy vegetables, and to enjoy starchy vegetables, grains, and legumes in moderation to otherwise compliment larger portions of fresh fruits and non-starchy vegetables. This eating pattern has been observed in populations where prostate cancer is nearly non-existent.