Federal Panel Rejects Prostate Cancer Screening

You may be asking yourself the question as to why a government panel would reject a prostate screening test that could save a life.  This news is getting posted on many medical websites.
The panel decided that the harm of the screening test outweighs the benefit for preventing prostate cancer.
The following is an article from a Boston publication.

The US Preventive Services Task Force determined that based on evidence from two large randomized trials, the lifesaving benefits of screening were “at best very small” and were offset by overdiagnosis and overtreatment of non-lethal cancers.

.“Our most optimistic estimate is that 1 out of 1,000 men screened will avoid dying from prostate cancer” because of early detection via the PSA test, said Dr. Michael LeFevre, co-vice chair of the task force. “We’re not saying it’s zero. We’re leaving the window open for at least a small benefit.”

“It’s hard to understand where they’re coming from,” said Dr. Anthony D’Amico, chief of genitourinary radiation oncology at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, in an interview.

D’Amico argued that the task force relied too heavily on data from a flawed study and failed to consider making separate recommendations for men in high-risk groups, such as those with a family history of prostate cancer and African Americans, who have a two to three times greater risk of dying of the cancer than white men. 

The task force, which is comprised of 16 primary care physicians and public health experts with no financial interests in tests or treatments, issues screening and other preventive health recommendations that tend to be more conservative than those of medical societies -- composed mostly of specialists who treat diseases detected through screening -- or patient advocacy groups.

Former New England Patriots player Mike Haynes, a paid spokesperson for the urological association, said in an interview that he was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2008, at age 55, after getting a free screening PSA test at an NFL event for retired players, sponsored by the urological association. He said he wasn’t told about any of the risks of the tests such as false positive results, unnecessary biopsies, and overtreatment of slow-growing cancers. His elevated PSA and subsequent biopsy revealed a stage 1, slow-growing cancer, and he said, “one of my options was watchful waiting, but my immediate reaction was let’s get it out of my system.” 

He considers himself lucky, however, in that the only side effect he had from his surgery was a few months of urinary incontinence that has since resolved.

To read the complete article : http://www.boston.com/dailydose/2012/05/21/psa-screening-for-prostate-cancer-gets-thumbs-down-from-federal-panel/ip80Gu1FRujF8B7mTGfNEJ/story.html

What do you think of the the panel's decision?

Free Colon Cancer Testing Kits Available In March

Genesis Health System has released a great offer to those who would like to be tested for colon cancer in four cities of New Mexico.  Hopefully, this trend of free colon testing will expand to many other states in the U.S.

Anyone 50 years old or older, or those with other factors associated with an increased risk of colon cancer, are encouraged to pick up and return a free colon cancer testing kit in the Quad Cities during National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month in March.

The kits are provided free of charge as long as supplies last. This annual screening is sponsored by Genesis Health System, Walgreens Drug Stores, Illini Laboratory and the American Cancer Society. Completed kits should be mailed to the Illini Laboratory. Participants will have results mailed to them within four weeks.

The kits are designed to detect small amounts of hidden blood that can indicate early problems with polyps or cancer before other symptoms are apparent. Anyone with a positive test should contact their family physician and ask about a colonoscopy.

According to the American Cancer Society, an estimated 143,500 Americans will be diagnosed with colorectal cancer in 2012 and nearly 51,000 will die from the disease. Colorectal cancer is the third-leading cause of cancer death for men and women combined.

Both men and women are at risk for colon cancer and more lives could be saved if people better understood the risks of the disease and received regular testing.

Screening and colonoscopy are the most effective ways to prevent colon cancer from developing. Most cases of the disease begin as non-cancerous polyps, which are growths on the lining of the colon and rectum. These polyps can become cancerous.

Removing polyps during a colonoscopy can prevent colorectal cancer from developing. Approximately 90 percent of colorectal cancers and deaths are thought to be preventable. Because there are often no symptoms to polyps, it is important to be routinely screened.

or more information on colon cancer, including risk factors, prevention options, and early detection methods, please call the American Cancer Society at 1-800-ACS-2345 or visit www.cancer.org.

Free kits can be picked up at the following locations in March, or until supplies last:

Walgreens Drug Stores

Bettendorf: 830 Middle Road, 3425 Middle Road; Clinton: 806 S. 4th St., 1905 N. 2nd St.; Davenport: 1805 Brady St., 1720 West Kimberly; 1525 East Kimberly, 1660 West Locust St., 4011 East 53rd St.; East Moline: 301 30th Ave.; 1301 Ave. of the Cities; Moline: 3601 16th St., 555 19th Ave.; 4000 Ave. of the Cities; Milan: 440 10th Ave. West; Muscatine:1703 Park Ave; Rock Island: 3100 11th St.; 2955 18th Ave.

Other Pick-Up Locations

Genesis Cancer Care Institute, 1351 West Central Park, Davenport; Genesis Medical Center, Illini Campus, 801 Illini Drive, Silvis; Illini Laboratory, 801 Illini Drive, Silvis; Genesis Medical Center, DeWitt, 1118 11th Street, DeWitt; Genesis Medical Center, Davenport, West Campus Information Desks; Genesis Medical Center, Davenport, East Campus Information Desks; Jackson County Regional Health Center, Maquoketa; Mercer County Hospital, Aledo, Ill; American Cancer Society Discovery Shop, 2397 Cumberland Square, Bettendorf.

Risk Factors

Both men and women are at risk for colon cancer. Personal risk varies, so your doctor can help you make informed decisions about when to begin testing and the most appropriate testing method for you. Factors associated with increased risk for colon cancer include:

• Age – most diagnosed are 50 or older.
• Race – African Americans are at greater risk.
• Personal or family history of colon cancer.
• Personal or family history of intestinal polyps.
• Personal history of inflammatory bowel disease (ulcerative or Crohn’s colitis).
  • Certain genetic factors (familial adenomatous polyposis, Gardner’s syndrome, hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer, Ashkenazi Jewish descent).
  • Smoking, or use of other tobacco products.
  • Physical inactivity.
  • Diets high in red meat.