Dr. Mathew Hall on Risks and Benefits of PSA Screening

Mathew Hall, MD, radiation oncologist, City of Hope National Medical Center, discusses prostate cancer screening.

Mathew Hall, MD, radiation oncologist, City of Hope National Medical Center, discusses prostate cancer screening.

Not all men will benefit from prostate-specific antigen (PSA) screening, says Hall. The US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) states that there is no good evidence that supports the use of PSA screening in all men; however, it is unknown if there is a group of high-risk men who will benefit from this screening.

Before deciding what is right for a patient, oncologists should discuss the risks and benefits of screening. If a diagnosis of prostate cancer is made, it is also important to explain the risks and benefits of treatment to patients.