Psychological effect of prostate cancer testing highlighted

April 2010  

Men should be warned by their doctors that prostate cancer testing may lead to anxiety and distress despite the fact that they generally cope well with such news, Cancer Research UK experts have recommended.

Research published by the organisation in the British Journal of Cancer shows that one in five men can feel distressed at the prospect of having a biopsy after discovering they have a raised Prostate Specific Antigen level (PSA).

The psychological effects of testing should be clearly explained to men who decide to have a PSA test because nine per cent continue to feel anxious even after being given the all clear sign, said the scientists.

Professor Kavita Vedhara, lead author on the study conducted from the University of Bristol, explained: 'Even 12 weeks after receiving a negative biopsy result, nine per cent of men said they still felt distressed.

'While it's crucial that men are aware of the difficulties they may face when deciding what to do with their results, it's also important they’re aware that they may find the whole process stressful.'

The most common cancer in men, prostate cancer is responsible for 25 per cent of newly diagnosed cases of the condition in England and Wales, according to the NHS.