Most men over age 75 can safely discontinue screening for prostate cancer with the PSA blood test, although such screening may still benefit some older men, U.S. researchers said on Friday.

Use of the prostate-specific antigen blood test to screen for prostate cancer in elderly men has been controversial. A panel of experts called the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force last year urged doctors to stop screening men 75 and older.

The new findings involved 849 U.S. men taking part in a study of aging run by the National Institutes of Health.

For men over 75, not one died of prostate cancer if they had a PSA reading below 3 nanograms per milliliter. That represents at least two thirds of the population.

Because PSA screening has led to a big increase in prostate cancer diagnoses, some experts believe many men with tumors that pose little threat are getting treatment such as surgery and radiation that may be unnecessary.

When observing the state of modern medicine and the unprecedented influence of pharmaceuticals, an interesting paradox arises. The drug companies claim that pharmaceuticals can do wonders for people: lower their cholesterol, end clinical depression, reverse osteoporosis, eliminate allergies, calm your children and many other similar promises. But if prescription drugs are so good for people, where are all the healthy medicated customers?

There aren’t any to speak of. There’s nobody taking twelve prescriptions who has a clean bill of health. In fact, the more prescriptions a person takes, the worse their overall health. And if you approach the healthiest people that you can find like a farmer and ask what prescription drugs they’re taking in order to be so healthy, they’ll give you a rather confused look: they don’t take prescription drugs!.