August 4, 2008 Prostate cancer screening beneficial? Play video

(NECN/ABC) - The American Cancer Society estimates that more than 186,000 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer this year. While screening for such a common disease may seem like a given, a new set of recommendations indicates that it may not be beneficial for every man.

One in 6 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer during his lifetime, but only 1 in 35 will die from it.

With this in mind, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force has released NEW guidelines for prostate cancer screening, saying men 75 and older should NOT be screened.

The Task Force reasons that if the average life expectancy of a 75-year-old man is 10 years, a slow-growing cancer like this one is unlikely to affect his lifespan and thus there is NO benefit to screening.

For younger men, the task force advises discussing the prostate-specific antigen, or PSA, test with a doctor before screening.

The PSA test helps detect prostate cancers but also triggers many unnecessary biopsies.

Experts who AGREE with the new guidelines say they will reduce needless tests for men.

Those who disagree argue that a cutoff at age 75 UNDERESTIMATES the lifespan of many men. Undiagnosed cancer could prevent them from living longer, healthier lives.

Most physicians, however, suggest that screening decisions be based on an INDIVIDUAL'S health history and PERSONAL risk factors for prostate cancer.

ABC's Dr. Timothy Johnson has more.