In the U.S., one in six men is diagnosed with prostate cancer at some point in their lives, according to the American Cancer Society, and 2 million men that have been diagnosed are still alive today. Prostate cancer is survivable, but many oncologists and other experts say that much of the cancer’s survivability is due to early detection. One common early detection method with prostate cancer is a simply blood test to screen for prostate-specific antigen (PSA). PSA if a protein that is found naturally in the blood, but at higher levels in men with prostate cancer. A recent study conducted by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, a government-backed panel to study current health practices, has recently downgraded the importance of this method, saying the screen could be harmful.

The USPSTF has been in the media before for its controversial findings, recommending in 2009 that doctors conduct mammograms less often for women in their 40’s and 50’s. This time they have downgraded the PSA screening test for prostate cancer to a “D” after reviewing scientific literature that, according to Reuters, “suggested the benefits of fewer cancer deaths was overshadowed by potential serious side effects from treating a cancer that might never have caused any harm.” The report went on, citing that, "there is moderate or high certainty that the service has no net benefit or that the harms outweigh the benefits."

According to the panel, evidence of high PSA levels can be found in men for reasons other than having prostate cancer, including things such as enlarged prostate, or even having recently ejaculated. The result has been a number of false positives, which necessitate treatments that can have debilitating side-effects. Side effects, the panel says, that may outweigh the benefits of screening a type of cancer that may never endanger the patient in the first place.

Of course the outcry from the medical community has been substantial. Dr. Scott Eggenner, a prostate cancer specialist with the University of Chicago, told Reuters, “Prostate cancer remains the second-leading cause of cancer death in the United States.” He argues that PSA screening saves lives, and it’s better to err on the side of caution than to proclaim that the screen does more harm than good. "Put simply, when PSA screening is used, fewer men develop metastatic prostate cancer or die from it.”

The best response for men, particularly men over the age of 50, is to continue to stay vigilant, and to regularly consult with their physician. Although false positives are common with early detection, prostate cancer remains the most common cancer diagnosis behind lung cancer. In the event of a positive PSA screen, it may be necessary to tread carefully with the medical response. As always, you are your own best advocate.