Early Detection of Prostate Cancer Saves Lives

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force has recommended healthy men should no longer receive prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood tests as part of routine cancer screening.

• This decision is being made by a panel that does not include urologists or oncologists. No new research has been cited that would call for this drastic change in prostate cancer testing recommendations since the USPSTF considered this issue in 2009.

• In 2009, this same task force tried unsuccessfully to eliminate mammograms for women ages 40-49 and recommended against teaching women to do breast self exams, which Congress rejected after public outcry.

The Data

The most recently updated study, The Göteborg Randomized Population-based Prostate Cancer Screening Trial,1 2 found that with screening, deaths from prostate cancer dropped 44% over a 14-year period, compared with men who did not undergo screening, and that prostate cancer screening efficiency was similar to other cancers.

Early detection is critical to the success of prostate cancer treatments.

Take Action

Voice concern to task force chair, Dr. Virginia Moyer, at moyer@bcm.edu and your federal policymakers today!