Posted by Gary Schwitzer in Cancer, Health care journalism, Screening
The South Dakota resident who sent me this clip wrote, simply, “Just…wow.”
Keloland News Healthbeat reporter Kelli Grant is taking you to an appointment every man over 50 should schedule with their doctor.
That’s an editorial/advocacy stance not backed up by evidence-based guidelines from many major medical and heatlh care organizations. And news stories aren’t supposed to do that.
TV news prostate cancer awareness month promotions apparently try to do good.
But they miss the mark when they fail to tell men that The American Cancer Society, for example, does not support routine testing for prostate cancer at this time.
The “every man should” message discourages complete, balanced, informed decision-making. There shouldn’t be an “every man should” message just as there shouldn’t be an “every man shouldn’t” message.
If TV can’t take the time to explain these issues more completely, they shouldn’t cover them at all.
At least on the Chicago Tribune’s website, this story appeared in the Health section – not the local business or feature section. It didn’t address most of the things we think are crucial in a health story.
“Brown fat” has ignited a grease fire of media hype in recent weeks.This WebMD story missed a good opportunity to smother the flames.
We reviewed this story and a competing AP story on these new fibroid studies. Read and compare.
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