Prostate cancer
Screening of asymptomatic men is not recommended as a
priority at the present time. Many false
positives are obtained on screening by digital examination of rectum. Definitive
diagnosis is expensive (serum tumour markers, ultrasound , biopsy ) . recent
studies raise serious questions regarding the benefits of early detection and
surgical intervention before symptoms develop (USPSTF,1989; brawer et al.,
1992). In studies in the USA , men of African origin and men with a family
history of prostate cancer appeared to be at greater risk; these groups should therefore
be given priority for screening (USPSTF,1989)
Resource levels required. Medium for detection by digital
rectal examination, high for biopsy; high for surgery.