WK3Assgn1+Walton+H..doc - 1 Reliability and Validity of the...

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Reliability and Validity of the Prostate Specific Antigen Test
Walden University
NURS - 6512N, Advanced Health Assessment
December 14, 2019

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Reliability and Validity of the Prostate Specific Antigen Test
Prostate cancer is a frequent occurring cancer which afflicts males beginning in middle-
age. According to the (American Cancer Society, 2019), prostate cancer affects men from
different races however, males with Hispanic heritage, and African Americans suffer an
increased morbidity and mortality rate. According to (Merriel, Funston, & Hamilton, 2018), the
incidence of prostate cancer has increased over the last decade, with cell changes occurring as
early as 30 years-of-age; prior to a diagnosis of advanced metastatic cancer. Although there is not
a definitive diagnostic strategy to identify this prolific cancer, the Prostate Specific Antigen
(PSA) test has been a benefit in the diagnosis of the disease (Bratt, & Lilja, 2015). The purpose
of this paper is to discuss implications for the Prostate Specific Antigen diagnostics test, and its
sensitivity, validity, reliability, predictive value as a diagnostic measure.
Prostate Specific Antigen Diagnostic Tool
Although prostate cancer is a predominant disease manifesting in men around 50 years of
age, a definitive diagnostic screening measure was critical for use by clinicians (Bratt & Lilha,
2019). Before the 1980’s, detection of prostate cancer was typically diagnosed when symptoms
of pelvic, low back and upper leg pain occurred during the late stage of the disease ( Sjoberg,
Vickers , Assel, Dahlin, Poon, Ulmert, & Lilja, (2018). Diagnosis at such a late stage of the
disease left providers with few methods of addressing prostate cancer due to metastasis.