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Excellent rebuttal ~ Don't test after 75? Think again...with experience!

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Posted 8/27/2008 3:58 AM (GMT 0)
Dr. William Catalona responds the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force.  This group, as David (FLHW) pointed out had absolutely no specialists in prostate cancer when they posted their "report" that testing after 75 was not warranted.  Catalona responds sharply.  The advocacies are PO'd by this very poor study, and are quite supportive of this article.  My thought is that we need to encourage our government to employ experts in the specialty when assembling a task force. IMHO this was very irresponsible of this task force.  My biggest gripe with when to test for PSA is the lack of counterpoints in the documentation that is released.  I am a proponant of testing 40/35, and never stopping.  I will blog a message about the 40/35 proposal soon!  This is a great rebuttal to this recent government cranial gas release. 

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/08/25/AR2008082502335.html?hpid=opinionsbox1

Tony

Posted 8/27/2008 12:45 PM (GMT 0)

“The task force reasoned that screening might harm more men than it helps and that in men over 75 there was moderate certainty that the harm outweighs the benefits.”

 

Guess maybe they were thinking about the average life expectancy for men in the USA is what, about 77 years old…If we all automatically kicked the bucket at 77, then I’d agree with the statement.

 

On the other hand, I look at my 73 year old long term friend. His parents are 97 & 99 years old. So it sure made sense to him to get treatment.

Posted 8/27/2008 12:52 PM (GMT 0)
Yes, nice to see that rebuttal... thanks for posting it, Tony. Since my PC was diagnosed, I've become a proponent of early screening with my friends and acquaintances, and as Dr. Catalona pointed out, I worry that too many will use that Task Force study as an excuse to delay testing. I'll be interested to follow this 40/35 proposal, that sounds a lot more proactive for controlling this #%$& disease!

Posted 8/27/2008 1:37 PM (GMT 0)

I was talking with a friend shortly after my own diagnosis and start of IMRT. She mentioned that her father had radiation treatment for prostate cancer at age 70 over 28 years ago. I asked if that is what he died from. She said he was still going and living on his own. Her mother is 96. I am sure that he would disagree with limiting his prospects for longevity to the average. She did say he has slowed down a bit after falling off of the roof while making some repairs at 92.

Don

Posted 8/28/2008 12:13 AM (GMT 0)
Tony


It was a great article by Dr. Catalona. Some people just don't get it. I owe my life to regular PSA checks, and I really hate needles, but after all of this, I can at least tolerate them now.

Mika
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