Stakeholders Applaud USPSTF for Including Urologist in Review Process for Updated Prostate Cancer Recommendations

LINTHICUM, Md., Feb. 14, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- As part of an ongoing commitment to maintaining patient access to prostate cancer screening, a coalition of physicians and patient groups today applauded the decision by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) to include a urologist to independently review the evidence report that will inform updated recommendations on prostate cancer screening.

Ensuring appropriate access to prostate cancer screening, specifically prostate-specific antigen (PSA) testing is a key priority for the prostate cancer community, and physicians and patients around the country actively support transparency and accountability for the USPSTF. Current USPSTF recommendations on prostate cancer screening run contrary to those of many leading societies, including the American Cancer Society, American College of Physicians, the American Society of Clinical Oncology, the American Urological Association (AUA) and the National Comprehensive Cancer Network, all of which advocate for shared decision-making in targeted populations. In 2016, the USPSTF began the process of updating these recommendations, which are expected to be released later this year.

"The conversation between a man and his physician about whether or not prostate cancer testing is right for him is of utmost importance and shouldn't be discouraged with a D rating," said Jamie Bearse, President and CEO of ZERO – The End of Prostate Cancer. "As the USPSTF moves forward with its recommendations, we hope that shared decision-making is an important part of this new guidance."

In January, the USPSTF formally requested from the AUA nominations for urologists to serve as expert reviewers of the evidence report.

"For years now we have been encouraging the Task Force to solicit input from various stakeholders within the prostate cancer community," said Ana Fadich, Vice President of Men's Health Network. "Allowing a urologist to participate in the process is certainly a step in the right direction and we hope this will allow for additional contributions to be made by patient groups in the near future." 

About the coalition: Groups supporting this statement include the American Urological Association, Malecare, Men's Health Network, Prostate Cancer Foundation, Prostate Health Education Network, and ZERO – The End of Prostate Cancer.

For more information about this statement, or about USPSTF reform, please contact Wendy Isett at 410-689-3789 or [email protected]. 

About the American Urological Association: Founded in 1902 and headquartered near Baltimore, Maryland, the American Urological Association is a leading advocate for the specialty of urology, and has more than 20,000 members throughout the world. The AUA is a premier urologic association, providing invaluable support to the urologic community as it pursues its mission of fostering the highest standards of urologic care through education, research and the formulation of health policy.

Contact: Wendy Waldsachs Isett, AUA
410-689-3789 (office), [email protected]

SOURCE American Urological Association

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