Study: Millions spent on prostate blood tests of questionable value
Tuesday,December2,2003,5:37 PM
Washington-AP -- A study says (M) millions of dollars are spent each year to check the prostates of older men who don't benefit from the testing. The study looked at men over 75 years of age. Previous research has found that elderly men are more likely to die of other conditions even if they have the slow-growing cancer.
The survey of around 79-hundred men found about a third over 75 had a blood test for cancer antibodies. Based on Medicare reimbursements, this could create a national bill of more than 38 (M) million dollars.
The lead researcher is at the Cancer Institute of New Jersey. The study is in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.
An outside expert says, however, that tests may help people with a history of prostate problems, including cancer that required treatment.
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