I wrote..
>> Why do a PSA in this circumstance? The value of a "screening" PSA,
>> which this is, is very frugal. We are contemplating stopping GP access
>> to this test unless assessing for disseminated malignancy!
>
Dr D J Plews <[log in to unmask]> replied..
>Who is/are "we"?
>
>Not that I would want to interfere or anything, yes PSA is not particularly
>specific.
>
The "We" was the GPs, Pathologists and local Health Authority/public
health doctors present at the PSA seminar. It is therefore only a
consideration, and then only in Avon.
>Are "you" going to stop GP access to other tests?
Not "me", but Avon have already stopped reporting smear tests on women,
if taken without clinical indication less than 54 months after a normal
smear. This was done in 1989, and was met with much hostility by GPs,
including me. Much irritation when slides were simply returned
unreported. However, it was a decision based on good evidence, and it
now has the support of all parties, as far as I am aware.
>Personally I would be very
>happy for such things as the antenatal WR to go. How many of these nationwide
>have been positive in the last 5 years?
If the answer is zero, then I would agree!
Are there other tests which would warrant closer scrutiny?
Jon Rogers Tel: 44 117 950 7100
Southmead Health Centre Fax: 44 117 944 5498
Bristol BS10 6DF UK e-mail: [log in to unmask]
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