Date: Thu, 12 Mar 1998 06:18:27 -0800 From: Dr Warren Jahn Organization: Chiropractic Orthopaedics & Sport Injury To: chirosci-list@silcom.com Subject: new PSA test FDA Approves New 'Free PSA' Blood Test To Aid In Battle Against Prostate Cancer WASHINGTON--(BW HealthWire)--March 11, 1998--The Food and Drug Administration has approved a new blood test to enhance the accuracy of prostate cancer detection. The Hybritech Free PSA test is expected to significantly reduce the number of unnecessary prostate biopsies, lower health-care costs and ease the anxiety of many men over age 50 who are at risk for prostate cancer. The Hybritech Free PSA test developed by Beckman Coulter detects 95 percent of prostate cancers and will be used by physicians to differentiate between prostate cancer and benign prostate conditions, said clinical researchers involved in a recent multi-center study. Nearly all prostate cancers that are detected before the cancer has spread outside the prostate can be cured, according to the American Prostate Society. The Free PSA test can reduce unnecessary prostate biopsies by 20 percent, reports the multi-center study headed by William Catalona, M.D., professor of urology at Washington University School of Medicine, in St. Louis. "The biggest criticism of earlier PSA tests has been that they were not specific enough," said Dr. Catalona, lead researcher in the clinical trials. "Previously, too many suspicious readings had nothing to do with cancer, which meant that too many cancer-free men had to undergo uncomfortable and expensive biopsies." Dr. Catalona predicted that testing for free PSA will play a central role in the battle against prostate cancer. "Our research findings indicate that this test can help physicians more precisely detect prostate cancer in its early stages," he said. Prostate cancer is expected to kill more than 39,000 American men this year, according to the American Cancer Society. Warren T. Jahn DC MPS FACO DACBSP *************************** From: "Frank M. Painter, D.C." To: Subject: Re: new PSA test Date: Fri, 13 Mar 1998 14:59:29 -0000 I'd like to add a few statistics I heard yesterday from a fellow who heads a national association for prostate CA. 200,000 cases are diagnosed per year....40,000 deaths per year BTW, this puts it in the same category as breast CA for incidence/death rates. Twenty years ago we didn't hear much about that either, until Betty Ford, Liz Taylor "came out"...so perhaps we need some famous guys to "come out" (the next Rock Hudson ) to draw more attention to this killer. Death % higher in the African-american community, mostly associated with reduced seeking of exams and tests (homophobia?) Early diagnosis leads to 93-95% survival rates at 5 years (if "contained" in the capsule). No agreement in the community over radiation vs surgery as being the best TX. Best dx derives from PSA and a rectal exam... Over 40 onset typical Incidence lower in Asia, unless the Asian is in this country for a generation...this suggests environmental/lifestyle component, not just genes. Frank M. Painter, D.C. Frankp@chiro.org ************************** From: Rob & Wendy Ward To: chirosci-list@silcom.com Subject: Re: new PSA test Date: Friday, March 13, 1998 3:35 PM >>As I recall, this is an indolent, only slowly progressing cancer, with >>usual onset in old age. I was told in school that many men die WITH >> prostate cancer, but few die OF it. The attributation to this cause of the >> deaths of Frank Zappa and Timothy Leary is to the contrary, of course. >> comments? Bob Woolery, DC Death from metastasis of prostatic carcinoma is not terribly rare. It killed my father, and it also killed the first associate of the doctor I practice with. Neither of these gentlemen, nor the two examples cited by Dr. Woolery, could accurately be described as being in "old age" at the time of onset. It is important to consider the demographic parameters applied to conventional wisdoms or clinical studies before applying them to specific patients. Rob Ward, DC ******************* From: LHBWeitz Date: Fri, 13 Mar 1998 07:30:10 EST To: chirosci-list@silcom.com Subject: Re: prostate ca There seems to be 2 variants of prostate cancer--a slower and a faster growing form, though tests are not yet available for determining which variant you may have. The other factor is the age of onset. If you get prostate cancer as a young man (under age 55)--like Frank Zappa and Bil Bixby--then it is much more likely to be an aggressive disease and metastasize, partially related to the higher testosterone levels found in such men. On the other hand, in a 70 year old, prostate cancer is more likely to progress slowly and the individual is more likely to die of some other ailment first. Ben Weitz, D.C. ***********************