• Clip
• Cancer >> The PSA test for prostate cancer >> Age 51-60 >> Interview 13 >> Says that since treatments for prostate cancer have unpleasant side effects he does not want a PSA test at present.

Has decided not to have a PSA test, mainly because he has no urinary symptoms, and because there is so much uncertainty about the PSA test and the treatments for prostate cancer, and because treatments have serious side-effects.

• Cancer >> The PSA test for prostate cancer >> Age 51-60 >> Interview 27 >> He wanted to discuss how treatment might affect quality of life before agreeing to have a biopsy.

He had mild urinary symptoms. GP suggested a PSA test [4.8ng/mL]. A consultant performed a biopsy, and found some "suspicious cells", so performed another biopsy, which led to side effects. No cancer diagnosed. Symptoms improved with saw palmetto.

• Cancer >> The PSA test for prostate cancer >> Age 61-70 >> Interview 01 >> Argues that we don't know that earlier diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer lengthens life but we do know that treatments have side effects.

Sir Iain Chalmers practised as a medical doctor until 1973. Until recently he was a director of the UK Cochrane Centre. He is now editor of the James Lind Library www.jameslindlibrary.org.

• Cancer >> The PSA test for prostate cancer >> Age 61-70 >> Interview 02 >> Argues that it is irresponsible to advocate PSA screening for prostate cancer until there is better evidence that screening reduces mortality.

As a clinical academic who has been involved with screening for cancer in other sites, he felt he was in a good position to judge (when considering screening for prostate cancer) that the potential for harm outweighed the potential for benefit.