PSA Screening in Canada

Term Paper # 101727

Canadian Studies > Misc.
Medical and Health > Public Health Issues

A discussion of the issues related to prostate-specific antigen (PSA)screening in Canada.

1,460 words () | 7 sources | APA | 2007 United States

Paper Summary:

This paper examines the controversial issue of screening for prostate cancer using the PSA test. It explains that PSA is used for its predictive value of prostate cancer in men and a value higher than 4.0 is positive and indicates the possibility of cancer; it is negative if less than 4.0. The paper discusses the serious issues related to the lack of physician adherence to guidelines in Canada and the out-of-pocket payment required of men in Ontario who wish to have the PSA test. The paper also points out that the central issue related to PSA screening is informed decision making as it concerns the patient and the clinician.

From the Paper:

"Prostate cancer is prevalent in Canada which, in 2006, had about 10,700 new cases and 4,200 deaths from the disease (Beaulac, Fry & Onysko, 2006). The incidence rates for prostate cancer are low in Ontario, Quebec, and three of the western provinces. Incidence rates in Ontario are far below the national average. The low rates in Ontario appear to result from the use of PSA screening and other forms of early detection. A reduced incidence rate since 1993 across Canada seems to indicate that detection is now being undertaken in a consistent manner all over the country (Gaudette & Altmayer, 1998)."

Sample of Sources Used:

Beaulac, J., R. Fry & Onysko, J. (2006). Lifetime and recent prostate specific antigen (PSA) screening of men for prostate cancer in Canada. Canadian Journal of Public Health, 97 (3), 171-182.
Coldman, A. & Phillips, N. (2003). Trends in prostate cancer incidence and mortality. Canadian Medical Association Journal, 1, 31-36.
Gaudette, L. & Altmayer, C. (1998). Cancer incidence and mortality across Canada. Health Reports, 10 (1), 51-63.
Norris, C. & McFall, S. (2006). Lifestyle and clinical health behaviors and PSA tests. American Journal of Health Education, 37 (5), 289-295.
Thompson, I. (2006). PSA: A biomarker for disease. The Journal of Nutrition, 136 (10), 2704S.