Men should talk to their doctor about prostate cancer screening May 8, 2018 Task Force Recommendation Changes from “D” (Don’t) to “C” Your Doctor WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) finalized its new prostate cancer screening recommendation, which upgrades its recommendation for men 55 - 69 years old to a C rating. While the updated rating is a step forward, it’s not enough.The decade-long message that discouraged men from getting tested has led to an unprecedented increase in prostate cancer deaths this year - an anticipated 10 percent jump, according to the National Cancer Institute. The previous recommendation deterred men from a simple blood test and was a barrier to early detection (which would have saved countless lives).“The fact is 99 percent survive prostate cancer when it’s caught early,” Jamie Bearse, CEO of ZERO Prostate Cancer, said. “Left unchecked, survival rates plummet to 30 percent if prostate cancer is found in an advanced stage. Unfortunately, the C rating is still insufficient and dangerous for high-risk men or men who – without testing – will develop unchecked aggressive or advanced disease.”The new rating from the USPSTF stipulates that with regard to the prostate-specific antigen blood test (PSA), there is “at least a moderate certainty that the net benefit is small”. The previous D rating - which remains in place for men 70 and over - labeled the PSA test as doing “more harm than good,” and strongly discourages physicians from using the test for men at risk for the disease. At ZERO, we meet active and vibrant men 70 and older leading amazingly impactful lives. We believe these men deserve to know their PSA levels and make an informed, personal decision about options should they develop the disease.“We need to make sure men know that PSA testing leads to a life-saving diagnosis,” Bearse said. “We’re hearing about advancements in screening and diagnostic tools every time a medical journal publishes a new issue. The technology exists to put men with aggressive disease on the right treatment pathway while not harming those with indolent tumors. We just need a united and robust educational outreach effort to accomplish this feat.” For more than a generation, ZERO continues to fight on the front lines for patients, advocating for increased prostate cancer research funding, awareness, and education. In February, more than 120 ZERO advocates met with their elected officials to fight for increased research funding on Capitol Hill, which in the past has generated three new treatments for prostate cancer as well as a new tool to determine aggressive from indolent disease.Hear more about what this decision means for men from ZERO Medical Advisory Board Member Kelvin Moses on our blog. About ZERO Prostate CancerZERO Prostate Cancer (ZERO) is on a mission to improve and save lives from prostate cancer through advocacy, education, awareness, and support. Formerly known as the National Prostate Cancer Coalition, ZERO was founded in 1996 to stand up for people impacted by prostate cancer. Today, ZERO serves as the nation's leading prostate cancer organization, advancing a future where prostate cancer detection is early, support is unwavering, and care is accessible to all. For over 30 years, ZERO has led the way in prostate cancer advocacy, screenings, and partnerships, successfully unlocking funding toward breakthrough discoveries, treatments, and lifesaving access to care. As the nation’s #1 provider of prostate cancer resources, programs, and services, ZERO has supported millions of people at-risk or diagnosed, and their families. As the voice of the prostate cancer community, ZERO's urgent focus on breaking barriers to survival—by closing gaps in diagnosis, treatment, and care—brings critical attention to those most likely to be impacted by this disease. Learn more at ZEROcancer.org About Prostate Cancer Press Release More for you
Task Force Recommendation Changes from “D” (Don’t) to “C” Your Doctor WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) finalized its new prostate cancer screening recommendation, which upgrades its recommendation for men 55 - 69 years old to a C rating. While the updated rating is a step forward, it’s not enough.The decade-long message that discouraged men from getting tested has led to an unprecedented increase in prostate cancer deaths this year - an anticipated 10 percent jump, according to the National Cancer Institute. The previous recommendation deterred men from a simple blood test and was a barrier to early detection (which would have saved countless lives).“The fact is 99 percent survive prostate cancer when it’s caught early,” Jamie Bearse, CEO of ZERO Prostate Cancer, said. “Left unchecked, survival rates plummet to 30 percent if prostate cancer is found in an advanced stage. Unfortunately, the C rating is still insufficient and dangerous for high-risk men or men who – without testing – will develop unchecked aggressive or advanced disease.”The new rating from the USPSTF stipulates that with regard to the prostate-specific antigen blood test (PSA), there is “at least a moderate certainty that the net benefit is small”. The previous D rating - which remains in place for men 70 and over - labeled the PSA test as doing “more harm than good,” and strongly discourages physicians from using the test for men at risk for the disease. At ZERO, we meet active and vibrant men 70 and older leading amazingly impactful lives. We believe these men deserve to know their PSA levels and make an informed, personal decision about options should they develop the disease.“We need to make sure men know that PSA testing leads to a life-saving diagnosis,” Bearse said. “We’re hearing about advancements in screening and diagnostic tools every time a medical journal publishes a new issue. The technology exists to put men with aggressive disease on the right treatment pathway while not harming those with indolent tumors. We just need a united and robust educational outreach effort to accomplish this feat.” For more than a generation, ZERO continues to fight on the front lines for patients, advocating for increased prostate cancer research funding, awareness, and education. In February, more than 120 ZERO advocates met with their elected officials to fight for increased research funding on Capitol Hill, which in the past has generated three new treatments for prostate cancer as well as a new tool to determine aggressive from indolent disease.Hear more about what this decision means for men from ZERO Medical Advisory Board Member Kelvin Moses on our blog.
About ZERO Prostate CancerZERO Prostate Cancer (ZERO) is on a mission to improve and save lives from prostate cancer through advocacy, education, awareness, and support. Formerly known as the National Prostate Cancer Coalition, ZERO was founded in 1996 to stand up for people impacted by prostate cancer. Today, ZERO serves as the nation's leading prostate cancer organization, advancing a future where prostate cancer detection is early, support is unwavering, and care is accessible to all. For over 30 years, ZERO has led the way in prostate cancer advocacy, screenings, and partnerships, successfully unlocking funding toward breakthrough discoveries, treatments, and lifesaving access to care. As the nation’s #1 provider of prostate cancer resources, programs, and services, ZERO has supported millions of people at-risk or diagnosed, and their families. As the voice of the prostate cancer community, ZERO's urgent focus on breaking barriers to survival—by closing gaps in diagnosis, treatment, and care—brings critical attention to those most likely to be impacted by this disease. Learn more at ZEROcancer.org
