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Prostate cancer screening

Prostate cancer screening

In 1996 the National Health Committee (NHC) first reviewed the possibility of population screening for prostate cancer. This review recommended against a national screening programme. A subsequent review of this recommendation in 2004 prompted by high public interest and increasing use of the Prostate Specific Antigen or PSA test, found that there continues to be no conclusive evidence that screening for prostate cancer reduces mortality or morbidity associated with prostate cancer. Until further advances in the diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer are made, the National Screening Unit supports this position.

Health practitioners, men and their families should visit the following websites for more information:

http://www.nhc.health.govt.nz/moh.nsf/indexcm/nhc-prostate-cancer-screening?Open

http://www.healthed.govt.nz/resources/search-resources.aspx?id=21