Medicine is always evolving and changes are necessary as new improved techniques come on the horizon. The vagaries of medical research sometimes perplex me. I was one of millions of who was surprised recently when a government advisory panel recommended that doctors stop using the PSA test to screen healthy men for prostate cancer. Nine physicians groups have now come out with a “Choosing Wisely” campaign to stop overusing 45 tests and procedures. Many years ago, the digital exam was the only prostate test given but in 1986 the PSA blood test was added, especially for all men over 50. I have had countless friends of mine survive prostate cancer; at least one had a successful operation more than 30 years ago. The latest study says that often a harmless tumor cannot be treated differently than an aggressive one. One in 200 men die after the prostate surgery is done. But, get this, 28,000 men this year will die from the disease. I am not a doctor and certainly don’t play one on TV but the timing is right for developing a better test than the digital or PSA. One blogger on the internet said it best, “I am a nurse and find this (change) insulting. Tell Frank Zappa, Bill Bixby, Robert DiNiro, Robert Frost, Timothy Leary, Roger Moore, Jerry Orbach, Telly Savalas, Nelson Mandela and scores of others…the PSA test isn’t harmful…some of the treatments can be difficult…why did the panel ignore that deaths from prostate cancer dropped 30 to 50% in the last 20 years.” My plan is to continue the PSA, what do you think?PSA Test