Does the PSA test for prostate cancer save lives?

CLEVELAND - About one in six men will get prostate cancer in his lifetime. That statistic widely is agreed upon. How to detect and survive prostate cancer is not.

For the past few years, some clinicians have raised doubts about PSA (prostate-specific antigen) screening for men, claiming it may not be as effective in saving lives as once thought.

A Cleveland Clinic study, released just this week, supports the value of PSA testing.

Eric Klein, M.D., a urologist at the Cleveland Clinic, oversaw an analysis of 1,700 of the Clinic’s prostate cancer patients. It showed that patients treated in an era before PSA testing were significantly more likely to develop metastatic disease within 10 years of treatment, compared to men in the post-screening era.

"It's clear that patients who were diagnosed in the PSA era have a better prognosis than those who were diagnosed before PSA came along," he said.

Fifty-three-year-old Jeff Rolf's personal experience made him a believer in the value of the PSA test.

The Brecksville resident spoke with NewsChannel5 health reporter Alicia Booth at the Cleveland Clinic's Taussig Cancer Center, just moments before his final radiation treatment for prostate cancer.

"Had I not had that done, I wouldn't be here talking to you today," he said.

His message to his peers who are due for the test is simple.

"What I would say to other men who are putting it off, not getting the PSA checked, stop, go get the PSA checked," he said.

Rolf is feeling good, so good, he is planning to run the 2010 New York City Marathon on Sunday, Novermber 7.

For more information on the PSA test, check back here later tonight on Newsnet5.com and watch Live on 5 at 5:00 p.m.