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World J Transl Med. Aug 12, 2014; 3(2): 112-118
Published online Aug 12, 2014. doi: 10.5528/wjtm.v3.i2.112
Effects of USPSTF guidelines on patterns of screening and treatment outcomes for prostate cancer
Vindya Gunawardena, Jeanny B Aragon-Ching
Vindya Gunawardena, George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, DC 20037, United States
Jeanny B Aragon-Ching, Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology, George Washington University Medical Center, Washington, DC 20037, United States
Author contributions: All authors contributed to this manuscript.
Correspondence to: Jeanny B Aragon-Ching, MD, FACP, Associate Professor, Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology, George Washington University Medical Center, 2150 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Suite 1-205, Washington, DC 20037, United States. jaragonching@mfa.gwu.edu
Telephone: +1-202-7412478 Fax: +1-202-7412487
Received: April 19, 2014
Revised: June 24, 2014
Accepted: July 25, 2014
Published online: August 12, 2014
Processing time: 130 Days and 16 Hours
Core Tip

Core tip: Prostate cancer screening has never been more controversial since publication of large randomized trials showing conflicting results with some demonstrating beneficial mortality effects from the European trials but the American screening trial showing no mortality benefit. At the core of the prostate cancer screening debate is not only the overdiagnosis, but rather over-treatment of men with low-risk prostate cancer. This review explores the literature regarding these patterns of screening especially post publication of the United States Preventive Services Task Force guidelines. The use of enhanced risk-adapted approach, perhaps with decision aids, may serve as useful tools to help in the decision for continued screening for men who would benefit.