SILVER SPRING, Md., Nov. 13 (UPI) -- U.S. recommendations to limit prostate specific antigen as a screening test are based on studies involving few African-Americans, researchers say.
The National Medical Association, an association representing more than 50,000 African-American physicians, said the large clinical studies performed on the PSA in Europe, Canada and the United States involved few African-American men and as a result, the findings might not be generalizable to the black community.
The R. Frank Jones Urological Society and the Urology section of the NMA support the use of PSA in the early detection of prostate cancer in African-American men. Moreover, the NMA endorses the American Urologic Association's best practice statement on prostate cancer early detection, which includes:
-- Initial PSA testing at age 40.
-- Both digital rectal examination and PSA as part of screening.
-- An informed decision making process.
-- A multi-factorial assessment of risk based on age, ethnicity, family history, PSA kinetics and density.
"The NMA is committed to decreasing health disparities in African-Americans; this includes disparities in prostate cancer," the NMA said in a statement.
"As a national organization, comprised of the nation's leading experts in minority health, we support the American Urological Association's best practice statement regarding the PSA blood test to detect prostate cancer at its earliest stages."
