Why Are Prostate Cancer Screenings Harmful For Men Over 75?

Boston (dbTechno) - According to a new report released by an American advisory panel known as the Preventive Services Task Force, prostate cancer screenings are harmful to men over the age of 75, but why?

The report was released by the Preventive Services Task Force, a voluntary panel which is supported by the U.S. government.

The task force updated its 2002 recommendation about prostate cancer screenings, publishing their latest statement in the Annals of Internal Medicine.

What they stated in their new recommendation, following a review of trials, was that prostate cancer screenings did more harm than good for men over the age of 75, and men younger may not require them either.

The task force stated that the evidence they have for PSA screenings show that harm can be done to me, including erectile dysfunction, urinary incontinence, as well as bowel dysfunction.

In more extreme cases, the prostate cancer screenings can even cause death.

The group made it clear that even if prostate cancer screenings are effective, there is no need for a 75-year old man to go through one.

This is because it would take over 10 years for the disease to progress and cause harm.

Since a 75-year old man is only expected to live, on average, for another 10-years, there is no benefit from the test at all.

Men younger than 75 with chronic medical conditions are also recommended to not take the prostate cancer screenings.

Prostate cancer is diagnosed in 210,000 men each year, killing around 27,000.