Studies Highlight Shifts in Prostate Cancer Screening and Management

BOSTON, May 12, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Active surveillance in men under 60, use of telemedicine in the management of prostate cancer and physicians' personal prostate cancer screening preferences will be highlighted today in  a special press conference during the 112^th Annual Scientific Meeting of the American Urological Association (AUA) at the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center. This press session will be moderated by Stacy Loeb, MD, assistant professor of urology and population health at New York University and AUA spokesperson.

Studies presented during the session include:

Study Details
Publication #: PD55-03
Active Surveillance for Low-Risk Prostate Cancer in Men Under 60 Years of Age: In men with low-risk prostate cancer, the use of active surveillance (AS) is increasing; however, outcomes data relative to the use of AS in men under 60 years of age is limited. New data from researchers in Boston and Toronto indicate that AS may be a reasonable option in carefully selected younger men. Using AS data from Massachusetts General Hospital and Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, researchers analyzed clinical outcomes for 432 men on AS protocols. Of this group, 131 patients were ultimately treated (the majority due to pathological progression, PSA progression, volume progression or patient preference). Five patients developed metastasis. Metastasis-free survival was 99.7 percent at five years and 97.5 at 10 years. There were no prostate-cancer specific deaths.

Study Details
Publication #: PD09-01
Patient Satisfaction with the Use of Telemedicine in the Management of Prostate Cancer: The use of telemedicine to evaluate prostate cancer patients may be a viable option for some types of encounters, according to researchers in the Department of Urology at Sidney Kimmel Medical College in Philadelphia. Using data from patient satisfaction surveys administered following video-conferenced appointments, researchers found high levels of satisfaction from patients for both biopsy discussion encounters and follow-up appointments carried out as part of active surveillance protocols. There was no significant difference in satisfaction among the appointment types.

Study Details
Publication #: PD07-07
Personal PSA Screening and Treatment Choices for Localized Prostate Cancer Among Expert Physicians: Physicians who routinely treat prostate cancer are more likely to undergo prostate-specific antigen (PSA) screening or recommend it to their immediate family, according to data from Australian and Canadian researchers. Researchers surveyed nearly 900 urologists, radiation oncologists and medical oncologists to assess screening preferences and treatment recommendations. Of the 869 respondents, 90 percent (784) endorsed past or future screening for themselves or for relatives, with 61 percent (494) having undergone screening previously. Researchers also assessed urologists and radiation oncologists relative to recommended treatments for family members diagnosed with prostate cancer, finding a significant correlation between medical specialty and treatment selection.

"Through these studies, we can see that the doctors who manage prostate cancer really do practice what they preach, and choose PSA screening for themselves. These studies also show how new technology and treatment options are providing today's patients with a wider variety of options and increasing patient satisfaction," said Dr. Loeb. "We have made significant progress in the way that we screen and manage prostate cancer, and these advances will help the next generation of patients and physicians." 

NOTE TO REPORTERS: Expert spokespeople are available to discuss this story. Please contact the Communications Office at 410-689-3932 or email [email protected].

About the American Urological Association: The 112^th Annual Meeting of the American Urological Association (AUA) takes place May 12-16 at the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center in Boston, MA.

Founded in 1902 and headquartered near Baltimore, Maryland, the AUA is a leading advocate for the specialty of urology, and has more than 21,000 members throughout the world.

Contact: Christine Frey, AUA
410-689-3731, [email protected]

SOURCE American Urological Association

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