Possible Harm from Screening
False-positive test results: This occurs when a man has an unusual PSA test but does not have prostate cancer. False-positive test results often lead to additional tests, like a biopsy of the prostate. They may cause men to trouble about their health. Older men are more apt to have false-positive test results.
Possible Harms from Diagnosis
Treatment of men who would not have had signs or died from prostate cancer can cause them to have difficulties from medication, but not help from medication. This is called over diagnosis.
Prostate cancer is diagnosed with a prostate biopsy. In a biopsy, a small piece of tissue is extracted from the prostate to check the cancer cells with the help of microscope. Elder people are more likely to have difficulty after a prostate biopsy. It can cause
- Pain
- Blood in the semen or ejaculate
- Infection
Possible Harms from Treatment
- Urinary incontinence (unexpected leakage of urine)
- Erectile dysfunction (impotence)
- Bowel problems, including fecal desire (accidental leakage of bowel movements)
