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• Cancer >> The PSA test for prostate cancer >> Age 61-70 >> Interview 23 >> His GP was reluctant to do the PSA test but finally agreed after explaining that the test isn't very accurate.

He did not have any urinary symptoms, but in 2001 he asked for a PSA test, which was found to be 5ng/ml. A biopsy was performed and prostate cancer diagnosed. He had a radical prostatectomy. His PSA is now 0.2ng/ml.

• Cancer >> The PSA test for prostate cancer >> Age 61-70 >> Interview 01 >> Suggests that the PSA test may be misleading and lead to great anxiety.

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 23 >> When he received his PSA result the GP suggested a digital rectal examination.

He did not have any urinary symptoms, but in 2001 he asked for a PSA test, which was found to be 5ng/ml. A biopsy was performed and prostate cancer diagnosed. He had a radical prostatectomy. His PSA is now 0.2ng/ml.

• Cancer >> The PSA test for prostate cancer >> Age 71-80 >> Interview 38 >> Doesn't know what the PSA results mean or what result he should expect for a man of his age.

He had mild urinary symptoms, and backache. Knowing that bone pain can be due to the spread of prostate cancer he asked his GP for a PSA test. This was "raised", but when repeated six months later was lower, so he was reassured.

• Cancer >> The PSA test for prostate cancer >> Age 51-60 >> Interview 28 >> Feels frustrated that he can't get a specialist to give him a prognosis.

No urinary symptoms, but felt tired. His GP suggested a PSA test. The PSA was raised, so he was referred to a consultant, who performed a biopsy. Prostate cancer was diagnosed, and treated with 3D conformal radiotherapy in 2005.

• Cancer >> The PSA test for prostate cancer >> Age 51-60 >> Interview 10 >> Worries that the PSA test is unreliable and may give false positive and false negative results.

He has not had any urinary symptoms. Has looked at information about the PSA test and has decided that he would only have a test if he developed symptoms.

• Cancer >> The PSA test for prostate cancer >> Age 40-50 >> Interview 17 >> Suggests that if a man has urinary symptoms a PSA test is a useful way to start investigations.

In 2003 had urinary symptoms for about three months, and so asked for a PSA test, which was found to be slightly raised. Referred to a specialist, who diagnosed a urinary infection. This was treated and the PSA returned to normal.

• Cancer >> The PSA test for prostate cancer >> Age 51-60 >> Interview 40 >> Says the PSA test is a normal blood test but is concerned about possible false positive results.

Did not have any symptoms, but having read articles about prostate cancer and the PSA test in the national press he decided to ask his GP for the test. The result was 'normal'.

• Cancer >> The PSA test for prostate cancer >> Age 51-60 >> Interview 27 >> Suggests that some drugs and herbal remedies may lower the PSA level in the blood.

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 51-60 >> Interview 16 >> Recognises that men may have prostate cancer but die of something else.

He has not had urinary symptoms, but asked his GP for a PSA test when two friends developed prostate cancer. He decided not to have the test (at the moment), having heard that it is not reliable, and that the biopsy can be painful.

• Cancer >> The PSA test for prostate cancer >> Age 61-70 >> Interview 42 >> Thinks he is at low risk for prostate cancer but is weighing up the pros and cons of having the PSA test.

Six months ago he decided not to have a PSA test, partly because he did not have urinary symptoms, and his GP was not in favour of doing it. Since then he has changed his mind, mainly due to peer pressure, and will probably have the test in the next few months.

• Cancer >> The PSA test for prostate cancer >> Age 61-70 >> Interview 42 >> His GP will do a PSA test if asked but made it clear that he prefers not to do the test unless a man has urinary symptoms.

Six months ago he decided not to have a PSA test, partly because he did not have urinary symptoms, and his GP was not in favour of doing it. Since then he has changed his mind, mainly due to peer pressure, and will probably have the test in the next few months.

• Cancer >> The PSA test for prostate cancer >> Age 51-60 >> Interview 10 >> He thinks he is not at high risk of prostate cancer and would be disinclined to have a test without symptoms.

He has not had any urinary symptoms. Has looked at information about the PSA test and has decided that he would only have a test if he developed symptoms.

• Cancer >> The PSA test for prostate cancer >> Age 51-60 >> Interview 13 >> Thinks he is in a low risk category for prostate cancer. This has made him decide not to have a PSA test unless he has symptoms.

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 18 >> Has had some urinary symptoms but has decided not to have a PSA test for now because it is not reliable.

Mild urinary symptoms led to a consultation with his GP. Having received information and discussed the situation he decided not to have a PSA test for the moment, mainly because of the uncertainty surrounding the PSA test; that it can not reliably diagnose prostate cancer.

• Cancer >> The PSA test for prostate cancer >> Age 51-60 >> Interview 13 >> He has concluded that the test 'is not good enough' and does not want to become neurotic about his health.

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 16 >> His GP explained that the PSA test is unreliable and that a false positive result might lead to a painful and unnecessary biopsy.

He has not had urinary symptoms, but asked his GP for a PSA test when two friends developed prostate cancer. He decided not to have the test (at the moment), having heard that it is not reliable, and that the biopsy can be painful.

• Cancer >> The PSA test for prostate cancer >> Age 61-70 >> Interview 41 >> He knows that treatment for prostate cancer isn't 'foolproof' and that it may be 'quite invasive'.

Has not had urinary symptoms and does not have a family history of prostate cancer. As a medical doctor he has had good access to information about the PSA test and has decided not to have one.

• Cancer >> The PSA test for prostate cancer >> Age 71-80 >> Interview 34 >> Comments that PSA results are confusing and that they aren't widely explained to patients.

He had urinary symptoms for about 5 years, and in February 2005 had a PSA test which was slightly raised. After a biopsy, prostate cancer was diagnosed and treated with High Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU). He recovered quickly from the operation with few side effects and little discomfort.

• Cancer >> The PSA test for prostate cancer >> Age 61-70 >> Interview 30 >> He finds it worrying that cancer may be present even if a man's PSA level is within the 'normal' range.

No urinary symptoms, but he asked for a PSA test because a friend had prostate cancer and because of media coverage. PSA found to be slightly raised. In 2004, after a biopsy, cancer was diagnosed, and treated with hormones and then brachytherapy.

• Cancer >> The PSA test for prostate cancer >> Age 51-60 >> Interview 28 >> His PSA test was only slightly higher than 'normal' so his GP decided to repeat the test.

No urinary symptoms, but felt tired. His GP suggested a PSA test. The PSA was raised, so he was referred to a consultant, who performed a biopsy. Prostate cancer was diagnosed, and treated with 3D conformal radiotherapy in 2005.

• Cancer >> The PSA test for prostate cancer >> Age 71-80 >> Interview 38 >> His PSA was abnormal but having discussed it with his GP he decided to repeat the test after six months before doing anything else.

He had mild urinary symptoms, and backache. Knowing that bone pain can be due to the spread of prostate cancer he asked his GP for a PSA test. This was "raised", but when repeated six months later was lower, so he was reassured.

• Cancer >> The PSA test for prostate cancer >> Age 61-70 >> Interview 07 >> Suggests that the UK doesn't have a national screening programme partly because if cancer is diagnosed men have to face difficult choices about treatm

About 2000 developed mild urinary symptoms and asked for a PSA test, which was normal. A test in 2004 was also normal. Father had prostate cancer.

• 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.

• Cancer >> The PSA test for prostate cancer >> Age 61-70 >> Interview 08 >> Suggests there is no UK screening programme because of false positive results, because some cancers are very slow growing, and because of cost.

No urinary symptoms, but because of a family history of prostate cancer asked his GP for a PSA test. The result was slightly above normal. Referred to a specialist when a subsequent test showed a higher result. Prostate cancer diagnosed after a biopsy, treated with radiotherapy.

• Cancer >> The PSA test for prostate cancer >> Age 51-60 >> Interview 13 >> Screening may cause unnecessary anxiety, particularly since prostate cancer can be 'unproblematic' or 'dormant', over a considerable period.

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 40-50 >> Interview 17 >> Says that it is important that the test is accurate before introducing a national screening programme partly because of the cost implication.

In 2003 had urinary symptoms for about three months, and so asked for a PSA test, which was found to be slightly raised. Referred to a specialist, who diagnosed a urinary infection. This was treated and the PSA returned to normal.

• Cancer >> The PSA test for prostate cancer >> Age 61-70 >> Interview 01 >> Explains that men are taking part in a large controlled trial to compare three different options; surgery, radiotherapy and active monitoring.

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.