Country's Largest Urology Group Defends the Need For Prostate Cancer Screening and Early Detection
Melville, NY October 7, 2011 - Advanced Urology Centers of New York is speaking out against the recommendation made by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) this morning that states that men should no longer receive PSA blood tests as part of routine cancer screening.
"Removing PSA blood tests would be an extremely negative step for men's health," said Dr. Deepak Kapoor, President of Advanced Urology Centers of New York and President-Elect of Large Urology Group Practice Association. "Because of early detection efforts, the death rate from prostate cancer has decreased 38% (from almost 40 per 100,000 men in 1992 to fewer than 25 per 100,000 in 2007). During this interval, the incidence of prostate cancer has been virtually flat."
Dr. Kapoor also notes that fundamental problem with the study is that they extrapolate screening into treatment. "Screening in and of itself provides information to doctors and patients. There is virtually no risk to the screening process. Once screened, the decision for biopsy and ultimate treatment is between physician and patient, and needs to be customized for every circumstance.”
Published statistics demonstrate that prostate cancer is the most common non-skin cancer affecting men in the U.S. One in six men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer during his lifetime and despite early detection and treatment, one man dies every 30 minutes from this disease. The incidence and death rate is even higher for African American men. Since there are no symptoms of early prostate cancer, the only way to detect prostate cancer is with aggressive early screening.
Dr. Kapoor expressed his concerns over the impact of this study, “In 1985, only 1/3 of men with prostate cancer presented with localized disease; now, with early detection, that number has increased to 90%. Implementation of the USPTF recommendations will undo 25 years of progress in patient education, and will result in the needless deaths of thousands of men.”
Dr. Kapoor and his associates at Advanced Urology Centers of New York are urging the public to reach out to their elected representatives to let them know that the adaption of these recommendations places the lives all of men in jeopardy.
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CONTACT: Kristie Galvani
HJMT COMMUNICATIONS, LLC
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Advanced Urology Centers of New York (AUCNY), a division of Integrated Medical Professionals, is comprised of community physicians committed to providing the highest level of medical service and patient care available. With more than 40 locations in Nassau, Suffolk, Queens, Manhattan, Westchester, Rockland County and The Bronx, AUCNY is the largest urology group practice in the United States, and leading regional provider of urology services. AUCNY physicians represent some of the country’s top urologists, many of whom are active in clinical and academic research, participate in postgraduate medical education and lecture internationally on cutting edge breakthroughs in medicine. AUCNY urologists are on staff in most hospitals in the New York Metro region and participate in most insurance plans, including Medicare.
To learn more about Advanced Urology Centers of New York call 516-931-0041 or visit www.aucofny.com.
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