This story didn’t meet as many of our criteria as the competing WebMD story did, but this one was much shorter.
Perhaps as a direct result of its brevity, it didn’t adequately address the current status of availability of the test, the cost (even projected cost), quality of the evidence, harms, benefits (potential number of unnecessary biopsies that might be avoided), and didn’t quote anyone except the lead author with the quote coming from a news release.
There is merit in helping readers understand that prostate cancers differ in the risks they pose to the health of men and that there is value in being able to better distinguish between those that do and don’t need to be treated.
The story did not discuss costs. While the test for the fusion protein mentioned is not yet commercially available, some estimate could have been given on what it may cost. The test for PSA3 is already available and a cost could easily have been cited.
Given how the story projects a possible widespread use for this approach, cost is an important consideration.
The story did not provide an estimate of the potential number of unnecessary biopsies that might be avoided with the use of this test – which is the potential benefit of concern.
While providing information about how the test might provide information that could be used by men faced with the decision about what steps to take following up on their elevated PSA level, the story should have stressed that while this test might reduce the number of false positives, there would still be substantial numbers of men whose results would fail to correctly predict their risk. Additionally – it is important to know that this test – at least in the current study design – does not change the absolute risk of missing an aggressive cancer.
We wanted the story to tell us the number of men whose tests fell in the low, intermediate, and high ranges. Without that, it makes it difficult to interpret the predictive values (e.g., % with cancer, % with aggressive cancer). Ultimately, we need to know how many (absolute risks) unnecessary biopsies could be avoided (and how many aggressive cancers missed) if we use the new biomarkers. It would also be helpful to note whether the investigators provided any indication of the cutoff that would be used clinically–and the performance of the cutoff for avoiding biopsies and missing aggressive cancers.
The story did not engage in overt disease mongering.
The story did not mention that the study reported on was funded by the company that makes the test; there were no experts without ties to the company or study quoted.
By providing a clear explanation of overtreatment of prostate cancer using the current approach to testing, the story provided readers with the insight to glean the value in a test that would better distinguish whether a man had aggressive or indolent prostate cancer.
The story only described this as a “new test.” Is it available? (No, the TMPRSS2:ERG is still experimental.)
This story was clear about the novelty of the test described.
The only quote in the story is attributed to a news release. There is no other source cited. If there was another source, it would be easy to list that at the end of the piece as a growing number of news organizations do.
Systematic, Criteria-Driven
I miss @HealthNewsRevu popping up in my feed. Loved seeing this one today.
https://www.healthnewsreview.org/2021/06/zombie-health-care-news/
#healthcare #journalism #ethics #conflictofinterest
Puleeeeease... this 'game changer' weight loss drug causes more nausea and vomiting than a placebo. Some game, some change. My friend Gary would spank you for using the eighth word medical reporters should never, ever use. @garyschwitzer @thackerpd
https://www.healthnewsreview.org/toolkit/just-journalists-writing-tips-case-studies/7-words-and-more-you-shouldnt-use-in-medical-news/ https://twitter.com/OttawaCitizen/status/1361426796126830597
A scary @statnews Op-Ed warns that govt attempts to rein in Pharma may cut off access to "life-changing" drugs.
It takes @garyschwitzer to let us know: the author spent 10 years as Pfizer's public-policy chief. https://twitter.com/garyschwitzer/status/1360325022578053123
Comments
Please note, comments are no longer published through this website. All previously made comments are still archived and available for viewing through select posts.
Our Comments Policy
But before leaving a comment, please review these notes about our policy.
You are responsible for any comments you leave on this site.
This site is primarily a forum for discussion about the quality (or lack thereof) in journalism or other media messages (advertising, marketing, public relations, medical journals, etc.) It is not intended to be a forum for definitive discussions about medicine or science.
We will delete comments that include personal attacks, unfounded allegations, unverified claims, product pitches, profanity or any from anyone who does not list a full name and a functioning email address. We will also end any thread of repetitive comments. We don”t give medical advice so we won”t respond to questions asking for it.
We don”t have sufficient staffing to contact each commenter who left such a message. If you have a question about why your comment was edited or removed, you can email us at feedback@healthnewsreview.org.
There has been a recent burst of attention to troubles with many comments left on science and science news/communication websites. Read “Online science comments: trolls, trash and treasure.”
The authors of the Retraction Watch comments policy urge commenters:
We”re also concerned about anonymous comments. We ask that all commenters leave their full name and provide an actual email address in case we feel we need to contact them. We may delete any comment left by someone who does not leave their name and a legitimate email address.
And, as noted, product pitches of any sort – pushing treatments, tests, products, procedures, physicians, medical centers, books, websites – are likely to be deleted. We don”t accept advertising on this site and are not going to give it away free.
The ability to leave comments expires after a certain period of time. So you may find that you’re unable to leave a comment on an article that is more than a few months old.
You might also like