Dr. Iyer co-led a new study of more than 103,000 U.S. veterans found that when men begin prostate cancer screening, and what their first PSA test shows, may play an important role in whether prostate cancer is found before it has spread.
Prostate-specific antigen, or PSA, is a blood test commonly used to help detect prostate cancer. The study found that veterans who had their first PSA test at age 60 or older were more likely to be diagnosed with prostate cancer that had already spread, compared with veterans who began PSA testing before age 50. Men whose first PSA result was higher were also much more likely to be diagnosed with cancer that had spread.
The study also found that longer gaps between PSA tests were linked with a higher chance of advanced prostate cancer at diagnosis, although this pattern was not as strong as the patterns seen for age at first test and the first PSA result.
These findings are especially important for groups already at higher risk of prostate cancer, including Black men and U.S. veterans. The results suggest that starting PSA screening earlier, paying attention to the first PSA result, and avoiding long gaps between tests may help identify prostate cancer before it becomes more serious.
Among the veterans in the study, only a small number had the most favorable screening patterns based on age and time between screening tests. This suggests there may be opportunities for health systems to improve prostate cancer screening strategies, especially for men at higher risk.
Overall, the study supports the need for more personalized prostate cancer screening approaches. By using information such as age, PSA test results, and individual risk factors, doctors may be better able to detect prostate cancer earlier and reduce the number of men diagnosed after the cancer has already spread.
Read more about the study here.