Report: Cancer Lifesavers Underused

Many People Found Ignoring Proven Screening Tests

(CBS)  Prostate cancer: "That's a little controversial. There's a lot of disagreement in the medical community about the value of the "PSA" test. That's the blood test that doctors give to men starting, usually, at around age 50. What they are recommending now is that there's an annual rectal exam starting at age 50 and then that the PSA test be offered to men. By that I mean, the pros and cons of getting this test need to be discussed.

"Again, there's a lot of debate. Some people say we're over-testing, doing more procedures than we need to be doing, and that most of these cancers would not harm men ultimately. Studies are going on now to try to find out exactly what the value of the PSA is. In the meantime, doctors and patients have to have this conversation."

Cervical cancer:: "Cervical cancer can be a killer, but it's one of those cancer tests that can absolutely save lives. Starting at age 21, there should be an annual pap smear for women who are sexually active. Before that, it should be three years after your first sexual activity. And then again, yearly going forward if the doctors don't find anything. And in your 30s, you can reevaluate how often you get the test."