For years there has been the common perception that prostate cancer screening is one of the most common and useful tests a man can do. Prostate cancer is the most frequent type of cancer in men in the United States and the second most common cause of deaths by cancer.

However, a new study made by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force found that the test should not be made for men that are over the age of 75, since the risks involved pose more immediate danger that the cancer itself.

The task force found that diagnosing prostate cancer in an early stage is of little help for the person who has the disease. On the other hand, the stress that is caused by the procedure, as well as the risks involved by the biopsies that are required to confirm the disease pose a much greater threat to that person.

The first test to see whether a person has prostate cancer or not is a blood test called PSA. This measures the levels of a protein that is produced by prostate tissue. In many cases people are falsely diagnosed with the disease after this test is done, and the biopsy that follows could be a dangerous procedure. What is more, if medication is administered without being required, it might induce impotence or incontinence in the patients.

While prostate cancer is one of the most frequent types of cancer, it usually evolves at a very slow pace. Most of the men diagnosed with the disease die of other causes that cancer, and many men are suffering of prostate cancer without even being aware.