The subjects were divided into four age groups: 70 to 74, 75 to 79, 80 to 84, and 85 years of age or older. In addition, an assessment of any conditions or illnesses was conducted to divide the subjects into three health categories: best, average, and worst.

Fifty-six percent of the men underwent PSA screening in 2003, the report indicates.

PSA screening dropped with advancing age, yet there was little difference in screening rates between men in the best health category and those in worst health category.

In the oldest age group, men in worst health category actually had a slightly higher screening rate than those in best health category: 36 percent vs. 34 percent.

Some subgroups of patients in the worst health category had screening rates over 60 percent.

Further analysis showed that health status had only a minor effect on PSA screening and was actually less influential than certain nonclinical factors, such as marital status and region of the country.

"We need to educate the public more about the downsides of screening tests," Walter noted. "This is isn't about cost-cutting. It's about not doing harm by not subjecting people to tests and procedures they don't need."

SOURCE: Journal of the American Medical Association, November 15, 2006.

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Burn injuries not seen to raise skin cancer risk

Last Updated: 2006-11-15 14:04:58 -0400 (Reuters Health)

By Michelle Rizzo

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Contrary to some prior reports, people who suffer burn injuries are not at heightened risk of developing skin cancers, a new study shows.

Dr. Lene Mellemkjaer, of the Danish Cancer Society, Copenhagen, and colleagues identified 16,903 patients who had been admitted to a hospital with a thermal or chemical burn during 1978 to 1993. The subjects were followed for cancer for an average of 15.6 years.

Patients with burn injuries had a total of 139 skin cancers, with 189 expected.

The reduced risk of skin cancer was mainly the result of reduced risk of a non-melanoma type of skin cancer called basal cell carcinoma as well as a reduced risk of malignant melanoma.

The relative risk of another type of non-melanoma skin cancer called squamous cell carcinoma was close to expected.

There were no consistent increases in risk for skin cancer in subgroups of patients with the most severe burns or with the longest periods of follow-up.

In an interview with Reuters Health, Mellemkjaer said that the reason for the reduced risk may be less exposure to the sun after the burn injury -- perhaps because sun exposure is uncomfortable for these patients, or it could be for cosmetic reasons.

SOURCE: Epidemiology November 2006.

Copyright © 2006 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of Reuters content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Reuters. Reuters shall not be liable for any errors or delays in the content, or for any actions taken in reliance thereon. Reuters and the Reuters sphere logo are registered trademarks and trademarks of the Reuters group of companies around the world.