Prostate cancer screening should be reduced in New Zealand in light of research just published, an Otago University associate professor says.
Results of a long-term Swedish controlled trial, published in the British Medical Journal, suggested prostate screening, even after 20 years of follow-up, did not significantly reduce the cancer's mortality rate, associate professor Brian Cox said.
The study provided important evidence that prostate screening of men with no symptoms was inappropriate medical practice.
Mr Cox said the test in New Zealand should be reduced to prevent any harm caused by the over-diagnosis of prostate cancer.
The test should only be available to urologists, oncologists and surgeons, unless a diagnosis of prostate disease was made, he said.
He called for the Ministry of Health and Cancer Control New Zealand to take urgent steps to stop testing asymptomatic men.
It had been known for a long time that testing of asymptomatic men might result in the detection of cancers that would never cause illness, he said.
The side-effects of radical surgery or radiotherapy to treat prostate cancer included chronic impotence and incontinence, he said.
"It is hoped that in the future a suitable test will be found...Unfortunately we are not there yet," he said.
NZPA