Prostate Cancer Screening [electronic resource] /

With one man in six expected to develop prostate cancer during his lifetime, and with a variety of risk factors often complicating clinical assessment and treatment planning, the question of whether, and when, prostate screening should be performed has become the subject of heated debate. In Prostate Cancer Screening, world-class authorities from a variety of disciplines provide a comprehensive and balanced evaluation of the advantages and disadvantages of screening for prostate cancer. These experts critically review the various methods by which screening can be performed, evaluate the screening itself, compare prostate screening with screening at other organ sites, and explore the impact of screening on a multitude of other medical and social issues. In addition, the book includes a CD-ROM containing a sophisticated-but simple to use-decision-making program that allows the physician to gage a patient's risk of prostate cancer. Called CAPRI (Cancer of the Prostate Risk Index), this PC-based program uses the four most significant factors-a patient's PSA value, the results of the digital rectal exam, the patient's race, and the patient's age at biopsy-to predict the risk of prostate cancer. The patient's risk (with confidence intervals if desired) is displayed in an easily understood, visually provocative manner that allows both clinician and patient to more easily reach the decision as to whether biopsy is appropriate, as well as to educate the patient in general. Comprehensive and balanced, Prostate Cancer Screening, presents a lively and rigorous evaluation of the science of prostate cancer screening, affording the health care provider with an informative discussion of its pros and cons, together with user-friendly computer program that analyzes an individual patient's risk of prostate cancer.