7,000 men given faulty prostate test results

7,000 men given faulty prostate test results

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — PinnacleHealth has sent more than 7,000 central Pennsylvania men a letter saying tests measuring a prostate cancer indicator might have overstated their risk to get the disease.

WHTM-TV says the faulty tests occurred between May 2012 and June 26, 2012. PinnacleHealth is blaming the false positive results on a chemical used in the tests that has since been recalled.

The tests in question were routine screenings meant to measure a man’s prostate specific antigens, or PSA.

The tests resulted in elevated PSA numbers, and may have spurred men to have more expensive follow-up tests or other treatments.

The company is offering a repeat test at no cost to the affected men.