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 is the leading national nonprofit with the mission to end prostate cancer and help all who are impacted. ZERO advances research, provides support, and creates solutions to achieve health equity to meet the most critical needs of our community. From early detection to survivorship, ZERO is the premier resource for prostate cancer patients and their families to access comprehensive support, make meaningful connections, and take action to save lives. Our dedicated national and chapter staff is joined with a growing team of passionate volunteer champions to increase advocacy, awareness, and community engagement to ZERO out prostate cancer. ZERO is recognized with four out of four stars by Charity Navigator and accredited by the Better Business Bureau. ZERO spends more on programs than any other prostate cancer charity, dedicating 85 cents of every dollar to support, education, and research. 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 is the leading national nonprofit with the mission to end prostate cancer and help all who are impacted. ZERO advances research, provides support, and creates solutions to achieve health equity to meet the most critical needs of our community. From early detection to survivorship, ZERO is the premier resource for prostate cancer patients and their families to access comprehensive support, make meaningful connections, and take action to save lives. Our dedicated national and chapter staff is joined with a growing team of passionate volunteer champions to increase advocacy, awareness, and community engagement to ZERO out prostate cancer. ZERO is recognized with four out of four stars by Charity Navigator and accredited by the Better Business Bureau. ZERO spends more on programs than any other prostate cancer charity, dedicating 85 cents of every dollar to support, education, and research.
