Ben Stiller recovered from prostate cancer with early detection. He wrote a forum to call for the generalization of PSA dosages before 50 years.
Ben Stiller has rather accustomed us to laughter. He is known for his clumsy roles, sometimes unloved stepson or awkward lover. But this time, the American actor confesses in the press on elements of his private life which are not funny. At 48, Ben Stiller learned he had prostate cancer.
In his misfortune, however, the actor was lucky. Diagnosed in June 2014, he learned of his remission three months later after surgery. This is thanks to early screening which enabled him to detect the presence of a tumor very early on.
“Taking this test saved my life”
In a column published on the Medium website, Ben Stiller explains that his doctor offered him at the age of 46 to perform a blood test every six months measuring his levels of PSA, this protein made by the prostate and which high levels can mean the onset of cancer.
“Taking this test saved my life. Literally, ”he insists, praising his doctor who offered him this systematic screening, when he was not among the risk categories. The Hollywood star has therefore taken up his pen to encourage men under 50 to take this test, while the American recommendations recommend that it be carried out only from the age of 50.
” Yes [mon médecin] had waited until I was 50 years old, as recommended by the American Cancer Society, I would not have known that I had a tumor and it would have continued to grow, ”he pleads.
A controversial test
If Ben Stiller’s account does seem to prove him right, it does not hide the limits posed by the test in question. Ben Stiller is also aware of this, he who emphasizes that “there have been many controversies about these tests in recent years”.
In fact, the PSA tests have led – in France, in any case – to an overdiagnosis of prostate cancer, and to unnecessary prostate ablations. In fact, it is estimated that one in two prostate cancer is overtreated, because if PSA levels increase, it does not necessarily mean that the cancer will be invasive and will require surgery. Sometimes just monitoring tilts the risk-benefit balance in the right direction. In addition, the PSA assay would give rise to 10% false positives and does not exclude the risk of cancer below the threshold.
In May, the French health authorities therefore warned about the excessive use of the PSA dosage in prostate cancer screening, and opposed systematic screening for subjects at risk as well as for others.
Find the program L’invité Santé
with Prof. François Desgranchamps (Saint-Louis Hospital)
broadcast on March 24, 2016
.
