Doctors often advise prostate patients poorly

Doctors often do not explain to patients about the advantages and disadvantages of early detection of protocarcinoma

03/26/2015

Whether the prostate cancer screening for healthy men makes sense, must be decided on an individual basis. For example, a hereditary bias may speak for it. On the other hand, the current tests can not clearly distinguish aggressive from harmless tumors. Many diagnoses therefore lead to unnecessary worries and stressful therapies. Doctors should explain to their patients all the better the advantages and disadvantages of the different examination methods. Unfortunately, a practical test by Stiftung Warentest showed that the advice often leaves something to be desired.

Prostate patients are usually only informed about the benefits of screening tests by the doctor - the risks are concealed
The testers between the ages of 49 and 67 visited a total of ten general practitioners and ten urologists in Bavaria, asking the question: „My circle of friends now talk about prostate cancer more often. Do I have to worry about that? "The doctors did not know that their patient was a tester from Stiftung Warentest, who wanted to check the quality of advice on prostate cancer screening.

Although 20 physicians are not a large sample, the result of the testers nonetheless indicates a significant deficit. „No doctor advised comprehensive and balanced. Many offered superfluous tests or made technical mistakes, "the April issue of the journal states „The doctors recommended three studies on prostate cancer screening, either individually or in combination: palpation, PSA and ultrasound, and the costs are only covered by statutory health insurances for palpation According to the medical guideline, the PSA test is recommended in conjunction with palpation.The blood test may also give evidence of very small tumors that would not be detectable on palpation alone, as opposed to the early detection of prostate cancer the ultrasound according to the guidelines, so that doctors offer the examination in this context is therefore questionable.

Advice on prostate cancer screening should be open-ended
The disadvantages and risks of early detection were mostly mentioned only briefly or not at all by the doctors tested. This could be discussed, when the time came, the family doctors and urologists weighed down. The benefit of the study, the testers, but was highlighted by almost all doctors positive. One-sided advice sees Stiftung Waren extremely critical. „Because common tests can not clearly differentiate between aggressive and harmless tumors, many diagnoses lead to unnecessary worries and physically demanding therapies. It is all the more important that doctors explain the advantages and disadvantages of the different methods of examination, so that men can make informed decisions about their use“, write the testers. The medical societies that have drawn up the guideline emphasize that the deliberations should be open-ended and include both benefits and risks.

Surgical removal of the prostate can have serious consequences
Every year, around 70,000 men in Germany contract prostate cancer. More than 12,000 do not survive the consequences of the disease. But as the tumors usually grow very slowly, many older men die but not with prostate cancer.

In the early detection studies in healthy men tumors are repeatedly discovered that are not in need of treatment. However, as those affected become cancer patients from the time they are diagnosed, they are confronted with the difficult decision to make a possible treatment. Surgery, radiation, medication, or just regular check-ups with the doctor to monitor the cancer are possible. Many opt out of fear for surgical removal of the prostate gland, which can result in complications such as impotence and incontinence. (Ag)