The USPSTF have continued to give screening using prostate-specific antigen (PSA) a D rating, meaning that they recommend against it. Their argument is that the harms outweigh the benefits, and at best, the benefits are small from 10 to 14 years after screening has commenced.
Many people will object to this recommendation, believing that many lives have been saved as a result of screening. The USPSTF's points are:
• First, the screening process results in pain, suffering, and a small risk for other complications.
• Second, there is a psychological consequence of receiving a false-positive test.
• Third, many of those men who are diagnosed with cancer will receive a treatment that was unnecessary, because there is still a difficulty distinguishing prostate cancers that are life-threatening from those that are indolent.
Read the commentary here: http://bit.ly/UOrZ6R
Source: Medscape
Link to the USPSTF recommendation: http://1.usa.gov/UOrBW5
Exploring Racial, Ethnic Disparities in Cancer Care Prior Authorization Decisions
October 24th 2024On this episode of Managed Care Cast, we're talking with the author of a study published in the October 2024 issue of The American Journal of Managed Care® that explored prior authorization decisions in cancer care by race and ethnicity for commercially insured patients.
Listen
Uniting to Support Patients With Cancer Beyond Treatment
November 17th 2024Kasey Bond, MPH, of Perlmutter Cancer Center at NYU Langone Health, speaks to why it’s vital to keep patients at the center of all strategic partnerships between academic institutions and community-based oncology practices.
Read More
Examining Low-Value Cancer Care Trends Amidst the COVID-19 Pandemic
April 25th 2024On this episode of Managed Care Cast, we're talking with the authors of a study published in the April 2024 issue of The American Journal of Managed Care® about their findings on the rates of low-value cancer care services throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.
Listen
Bridging Cancer Care Gaps and Overcoming Medical Mistrust
November 13th 2024In this clip from our interview with Oscar B. Lahoud, MD, cochair of our Institute for Value-Based Medicine® evening hosted with NYU Langone Health, he addressed medical mistrust in underrepresented communities.
Read More
How English- and Spanish-Preferring Patients With Cancer Decide on Emergency Care
November 13th 2024Care delivery innovations to help patients with cancer avoid emergency department visits are underused. The authors interviewed English- and Spanish-preferring patients at 2 diverse health systems to understand why.
Read More