Many men with suspected prostate cancer could avoid having a biopsy, a study shows, if physicians instead relied on the results of another more advanced PSA test. More than half of a group of men who had negative biopsies could have avoided biopsy in the first place if physicians had relied on the results of a "free" prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test.

Prostate biopsies are usually recommended for older men who have abnormally high PSA levels, a possible indicator of prostate cancer. Prostate biopsy requires surgery or the insertion of a needle into the prostate gland, typically through the rectum.

The Prostate November 1,1998;37:133-139

Dr. Mercola's Comment:

This is a very powerful piece of information that is not widely known among physicians. The new PSA test, as I discussed in a newsletter earlier this year, now has FDA approval which means that it is even covered by insurance companies. It is available at nearly every major laboratory and I would highly recommend it if one needs to investigate an elevated screening PSA.

Do NOT forget that natural progesterone cream taking at 5 mg twice a day applied to the hand is one of the most effective treatments known for the prevention and treatment of prostate cancer. It will even treat advanced metastatic prostate cancer and prostate enlargement.