Those are going the way of the dodo, in favor of other forms of testing for antigens.
There’s really only minor benefit to palpation to begin with, as there’s other methods to use as a general indicator of prostate health overall. Don’t get me wrong, when it was really the only option that was realistic it was absolutely necessary. It’s just that times have changed.
There are still niche cases where it can be useful, but the antigen testing goes back forty-ish years of easy availability. Back in the eighties, doctors were more used to palpation, and it made a certain amount of sense you keep doing them, but it wasn’t necessaryafter the test was proven a reliable early detection method. Superior to palpation, btw.
And it’s not like palpation was/is a significant determinant of outcomes. That comes down to treatment options and the test’s timing more than it contributing directly to improved outcomes. Most prostate cancer is slow to progress, usually comes later in life, and isn’t difficult to treat compared to other cancers. Mind you, fifty years ago, there were not as many options for treatment.
But now? Docs just don’t do it as part of an annual exam. Even urologists don’t do them unless there’s a clear benefit for a specific case, which is passingly rare.
Those are going the way of the dodo, in favor of other forms of testing for antigens.
There’s really only minor benefit to palpation to begin with, as there’s other methods to use as a general indicator of prostate health overall. Don’t get me wrong, when it was really the only option that was realistic it was absolutely necessary. It’s just that times have changed.
There are still niche cases where it can be useful, but the antigen testing goes back forty-ish years of easy availability. Back in the eighties, doctors were more used to palpation, and it made a certain amount of sense you keep doing them, but it wasn’t necessaryafter the test was proven a reliable early detection method. Superior to palpation, btw.
And it’s not like palpation was/is a significant determinant of outcomes. That comes down to treatment options and the test’s timing more than it contributing directly to improved outcomes. Most prostate cancer is slow to progress, usually comes later in life, and isn’t difficult to treat compared to other cancers. Mind you, fifty years ago, there were not as many options for treatment.
But now? Docs just don’t do it as part of an annual exam. Even urologists don’t do them unless there’s a clear benefit for a specific case, which is passingly rare.