Prostate cancer screening via the prostate specific antigen (PSA) test has been controversial since it became available.

The PSA test has been proven to pick up prostate cancer at an earlier age, but the idea that early diagnosis of prostate cancer translates to longer lifespan has never been proven.

A 2018 study from scientists at the Universities of Bristol and Oxford set out to determine if PSA screening actually saves lives.

Researchers studied more than 400,000 men ages 50 to 69. They offered the PSA testing to men at a regular office visit. The scientists then compared the men who received the test with men who did not.

After an average of 10 years, the scientists found that the PSA test led to many more prostate cancers being found, but the men who had the PSA test were no less likely to die of prostate cancer than the men who didn’t receive it.

The original developer of the PSA test did not advocate that it be used for prostate cancer screening because too many men would be diagnosed with a slow-growing prostate cancer.

Once diagnosed, they would undergo medical therapies that are associated with harmful side effects.

Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of death in men. Why is that occurring? I think iodine deficiency may be the number one cause. It is important to ensure that you have adequate iodine levels.

More information about iodine can be found in my book, Iodine: Why You Need It, Why You Can’t Live Without It.