One of the unsung heroes of modern medicine is Richard J. Ablin, professor in the Pathology Department of the University of Arizona. The discoverer of prostate-specific antigen (PSA), Dr. Ablin has spent decades warning doctors and the public that the PSA test is not only useless for population screening for prostate cancer, but is incredibly harmful. For every man whose life is saved via early detection of a deadly tumor, hundreds are maimed by treatments for tumors that were never going to hurt them.
The false positive rate for PSA is around 20%, meaning that about one in five men undergoing the test will be told they probably have prostate cancer and will require a dangerous biopsy to confirm the diagnosis.
Impotence and incontinence rates following treatments for prostate cancer are the range of 50-80%, and the biopsies that follow a positive PSA test can themselves turn slow-growing tumors into malignant hazards. And, on top of it all, the PSA test is not specific for cancer!
His book, The Great Prostate Hoax: How Big Medicine Hijacked the PSA Test and Caused a Public Health Disaster, is a deep dive into the corrupt and disingenuous nexus of urology and industry. If you are a man over 50, or know one, this book can be a lifesaver.
Recently the US Preventive Services Task Force upgraded their rating of the PSA test from a D (basically, it sucks), to a C (let's talk about the risks and benefits). Dr Ablin asked me to post his response on Plant Yourself in the hopes that it will save lives. So heeeere's Dr Ablin:
In a troubling reversal of its previous recommendation in 2012, of a “D” classification against the use of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) screening, the US Preventive Services Task Force has issued a new recommendation in April this year of a “C” classification, whereby, that doctors should have a meaningful conversation with male patients between the ages of 55 and 69 about the risks and benefits of undergoing PSA screening. This is a bad public health decision that will only increase the use of an intrinsically flawed test as previously discussed on TriangleBeWell (26 March 2016 [http://trianglebewell.com/wt-015-richard-ablin-phd-on-the-great-prostate-hoax/]) that—as also formally noted by the Task Force—does far more harm than good.
The Task Force’s new Draft Recommendation centers on a doctor-patient informed-decision conversation about PSA screening, across all social and demographic lines. Given the complexity of this issue, it is not feasible for a busy community doctor to elucidate the full spectrum of detailed clinical issues involved in PSA screening (Brett and Ablin. NEJM, 365,1941, 2011). Inequities and variability will abound, as is borne out by data. For example, a new study Turini et al. Urology, http://dx.doi.org/doi:10/1016/j.urology.2016.12.069 (accessed 10 April 2017) that looked at 200,000-plus men found that 37 percent were told only of the advantages of PSA compared with 30 percent who were advised of advantages and disadvantages. More striking, 33 percent were not informed of either. These men were more likely to be Hispanic, not high school graduates, and of low income. Basing a potentially life-changing medical decision on incomplete information will have profound consequences for men across the country.
The Task Force indirectly suggests that doctors and patients should revisit the decision to screen (or not screen) in a Table presented in the Draft Recommendation of estimated effects of PSA-based screening for prostate cancer on men observed in the European Randomized Screening of Prostate Cancer (ERSPC) trial. A relevant caveat here (Haines et al. BMJ, 353, i2574, 2016) is that the ERSPC trialists have yet to de-identify patient data and make it available for independent review. Without examining individual patient data, it is impossible to confirm any benefit of PSA screening or the validity of the data.
Before the Draft Recommendation goes into effect, doctors across the country need specific guidance from the Task Force on how to conduct informed-decision-making conversations with their patients about PSA testing. It is recommended that the Task Force create a discussion summary similar to the Table included with the Draft Recommendation. Thereby all patients will receive consistent information so that they can make their own assessment of the potential benefits or harms resulting from the PSA test.
Richard J. Ablin, Ph.D., D.Sc. (hon), Dr. h.c.
Ronald Piana
Richard J. Ablin is Professor, Department of Pathology, University of Arizona College of Medicine, The Arizona Cancer Center and BIO5 Institute, Tucson, AZ 85724
Ronald Piana is a Freelance Science Writer, Huntington, NY 11743
Looking for Transformational Change?
You know how when you discovered plant-based eating, you basically went, “Holy shit, how come the entire healthcare system isn't totally embracing this as one of the most powerful keys to disease prevention and reversal!”?
That's how I feel now about a psychological approach to transformational change called “Memory Reconsolidation.” Few psychologists have heard about it, and when they do hear the radical transformations it can bring about in a very short time, they're often skeptical to the point of disbelief.
But I've added Memory Reconsolidation work to my own coaching, and can attest to its amazing efficacy. So much so, that I'm devoting the next year to mastering it, studying with the best clinicians and teachers in the world, and then introducing it into health coaching through my trainings.
Right now, I want to triple my coaching practice to get more and more opportunities to do this work. And I'm lowering my fees – a lot – to make it easier for people to work with me.
If you're interested in working with me (and willing to commit to a minimum of 2 months), click the link below to open the form in a new browser tab and I'll get back to you within 3 business days.
Yes, I'm interested in Memory Reconsolidation Coaching.
You CAN Change Other People!
Well, that's what Peter Bregman and I claim in our provocative book of that title.
What we really mean is, you can help the people around you make behavioral changes in their own best interests. If you think you're powerless to help people change, it's because you've been going about it the wrong way.
Discover our straightforward, replicable process here: You Can Change Other People.
Audiobook: Use the Weight to Lose the Weight
Listen to Josh LaJaunie and me narrate our latest audiobook, about how to start moving when you're obese.
It's $10, and Josh and I split it evenly 🙂
Tip Jar
This podcast is not underwritten by advertising, so I can experience complete editorial autonomy without worrying about pissing off the person paying the bills. Instead, I pay the bills, with your help. It's free for those who can't afford to pay, and supported by those who can. You can contribute to the growth and improvement of the podcast by clicking the “Support on Patreon” or “Donate” buttons on the right to help out.
Music
The Plant Yourself Podcast theme music, “Dance of Peace (Sabali Don),” is generously provided by Will Ridenour, a kora player from North Carolina who has trained with top Senegalese musicians.
It can be found on his first CD, titled Will Ridenour.
You can learn about Will, listen to more tracks, and buy music on his website, WillRidenour.com.
Gratitudes
Thanks to Plant Yourself podcast patrons – Kim Harrison – Lynn McLellan – Brittany Porter – Dominic Marro – Barbara Whitney – Tammy Black – Amy Good – Amanda Hatherly – Mary Jane Wheeler – Ellen Kennelly – Melissa Cobb – Rachel Behrens – Tina Scharf – Tina Ahern – Jen Vilkinofsky – David Byczek – Michele X – Elspeth Feldman – Leah Stolar – Allan Kristensen – Colleen Peck – Michele Landry – Jozina – Sara Durkacs – Kelly Cameron – Janet Selby – Claire Adams – Tom Fronczak – Jeannette Benham – Gila Lacerte – David Donohue – Blair Seibert – Doron Avizov – Gio and Carolyn Argentati – Jodi Friesner – Mischa Rosen – Michael Worobiec – AvIvA Lael – Alicia Lemus – Val Linnemann – Nick Harper – Bandana Chawla – Molly Levine – The Inscrutable Harry R – Susan Laverty the Panda Vegan – Craig Covic – Adam Scharf – Karen Bury – Heather Morgan – Nigel Davies – Marian Blum – Teresa Kopel – Julian Watkins – Brid O'Connell – Shannon Herschman – Linda Ayotte – Holm Hedegaard – Isa Tousignant – Connie Haneline – Erin Greer – Alicia Davis – Heather O'Connor – Carollynne Jensen – Sheri Orlekoski of Plant Powered for Health – Karen Smith – Scott Mirani – Karen and Joe Crabtree – Kirby Burton – Theresa Carrell – Kevin Macaulay – Elizabeth Rothschild – Ann Jesse – Sheryl Dwyer – Jenny Hazelton – Peter W Evans – Dennis Bird – Darby Kelly – Lori Fanney – Linnea Lundquist – Emily Iaconelli – Levi Wallach – Rosamonde McAtee – Dan Pokorney – Stephen Leinin – Patty DeMartino – Mike and Donna Kartz – Deanne Bishop – Bilberry Elf – Marjorie Lewis – Tricia Adams – Nancy Sheldon – Lindsey Bashore – Gunn Marit Hagen – Tracey Gulledge – Lara Hedin – Meg from Mamasezz – Stacey Stokes – Ben Savage – Michael K – David Hughes -Coni Rodgers – Claire England – Sally Robertson – Parham Ganchi – Amy Dailey – Brian Tourville – Mark Jeffrey Johnson – Josie Dempsey – Caryn Schmitt – Pamela Hayden – Emily Perryman – Allison Corbett – Richard Stone – Lauren Vaught of Edible Musings – Erin Hastey – Sean Owens – Sagar Naik – Erika Piedra – Danielle Roberts – Michael Leuchten – Sarah Johnson – Katharine Floyd – Meryl Fury – for your generous support of the podcast.
Disclosure
This post may contain amazon affiliate links. I may receive compensation from your actions on such links. It don't cost you a dime, tho.
“doctor-patient informed-decision conversation about PSA screening”
In practical terms, informed decision making means that men who do not plan to ever have sex again and who have no problem wearing incontinence pads for the rest of their lives should definitely consider unproven strategies such as PSA screening and acting on its results.
The PSA test is NOT a hoax. But many hoaxsters use it to scam the public. It does a great job of highlighting that a prostate is upset about something. (Two trivial candidates are the physical trauma of running or bicycling too much.) It is up to the patient and his physician to find out what that “something” is and fix it. The customary alternative is biopsy; a surgery that killed 8 Americans last year. Pissing into a cup for the PSA test never killed anyone.
I recommend using a genetic and annual PSA test to screen for prostate potential which should be considered positive on a sliding scale of > 4-8 from age 40-80 years. Then if routine insults like toxins/alcohol/tobacco/diet and exercise corrections don’t solve the problem, a +3 tesla ultrasound/MRI fusion picture will show with great clarity any structural prostate problems. AND IT IS HARMLESS TOO. If the picture reveals any suspicious areas then a biopsy, targeted by the picture, will provide a highly reliable determination at minimum harm and risk.
Stop badmouthing the PSA test. It is a neutral tool. Use it correctly and it will avoid needless interventions while potentially saving your life.
Thanks for your comments, Stephen. Have you read Dr Ablin’s book? In it he makes clear that it’s not the test itself, but the way it’s used by the pharmaceutical industry and urology professions that is the problem. Also, most (false) positive PSA tests automatically lead to needle biopsy, which has been shown to spread cancerous cells.