This was a well-written, informative story that identifies the challenges to implementing a rational approach to prostate cancer screening.
But we thought the two closing patient profiles – the only patients profiled in the piece – wrapped up the story in an imbalanced way.
This is a useful piece to help readers understand the notion that testing is not an isolated intervention and that thinking ahead can be helpful in having medical care that matches one’s personal values and interests.
There was no discussion of costs, either in terms of the actual dollar value involved in routine PSA testing or for follow-up biopsy and treatment.
The story did mention a “National Cancer Institute study of 76,000 men that failed to find a screening benefit after 10 years”
The article does address the harms of overdiagnosis and treatment, though does not provide quantitative data. We’ll give it the benefit of the doubt.
The story did not actually provide readers with much information about the particular study it was reporting on. While it did have numerous insightful comments from experts in the field, it was rather vague about the study design. It was worth noting that it was a survey study, so people self-reported their PSA testing activity. That’s always a limitation.
Numerous independent sources without ties to the study reported on were quoted as part of this story.
One thing that does concern us is the way the piece ended. The story profiled two men – and both choose to be screened.One recently found a small cancer, and is thinking of “having the whole thing taken out.” Why was there no balancing profile of a man who chooses not to be screened?
The story presented information about the impact of being tested for prostate cancer using the PSA test versus not having the test. It was especially clear about the idea that a life expectancy of 10 years as a man thinks about potential benefit.
But, again, the option of not being screened wasn’t reflected in the patients profiled in the piece.
It’s clear from the story that ‘routine’ PSA testing is readily available.
The story was clear that PSA testing is readily available and routinely used by the percentages of men indicated in the story.
Does not rely solely or largely on a news release.
Systematic, Criteria-Driven
Take all the issues enmeshed in any cancer screening story and amplify it with the liquid biopsy issue. @AP's @CarlaKJohnson. did a solid job here. https://apnews.com/article/science-business-health-hodgkin-lymphoma-oregon-ca899bb9c4c7f1859d4e9ce16a1cf78d
Come on, NY Times; you must do better than this. Important research doesn’t need hype and the “breaking news” BS doesn’t help readers or patients. https://www.healthnewsreview.org/2022/03/nyt-proclaims-breaking-news/
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