News Center: AUA Speaks Out Against USPSTF Recommendations
UPDATE: On January 17, 2012, the New Jersey state legislature passed an act (AJR89/SJR77) opposing the USPSTF recommendations on PSA testing. They are the first state to take this action, which guarantees coverage for the test in spite of the USPSTF recommendation, and the AUA applauds them for doing taking this bold and decisive stand. Click here for more information.
USPSTF Issues Draft Recommendations on PSA Screening
On October 7, 2011, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) released new draft recommendations against prostate-specific antigen (PSA)-based screening for prostate cancer, asserting that there is "moderate or high certainty that the service has no net benefit or that the harms outweigh the benefits," and discouraged the use of the test by issuing it a Grade D rating.
On November 8, the AUA submitted a formal comment letter to the Task Force outlining our concerns about the recommendations.
The AUA's Position
The AUA strongly opposes this position, and feels that the Task Force is doing men a great disservice by disparaging what is now the only widely available test for prostate cancer, a potentially devastating disease. We hold true to our current position as supported by the AUA's Prostate-Specific Antigen Best Practice Statement that, when interpreted appropriately, the PSA test provides important information in the diagnosis, pre-treatment staging or risk assessment and monitoring of prostate cancer patients. But not all prostate cancers are life threatening. The decision to proceed to active treatment or use surveillance for a patient's prostate cancer is one that men should discuss in detail with their urologists.
The AUA's Response
Immediately following the release of the USPSTF recommendations, AUA President Sushil S. Lacy, MD, released a formal statement on behalf of the AUA. The AUA also assisted with an immediate Hill response to Secretary Sebelius detailing the concerns with the recommendation. The AUA is also coordinating a sign-on letter for lawmakers headed up by Rep. Price to send collectively to U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, urging her to reject the USPSTF recommendations. In addition we are currently in the process of convening an expert Panel, which will prepare and submit formal comments to the USPSTF.
Video Response
Dr. John Lynch speaks out
against USPSTF recommendations.
Dr. J. Brantley Thrasher speaks out
against USPSTF recommendations.
Audio Response
On October 14, the AUA issued an audio news release to 200 radio stations and networks around the country. To date, the release has been aired more than 4,000 times and has reached more than 16 million Americans.
How You Can Get Involved
The specialty of urology is not represented in the USPSTF, as there is no urologist on the Task Force. As the specialists who diagnose and treat the majority of prostate cancers in the United States, we must make our opinions known. Here's how you can get involved:
Contact the media: The AUA has prepared a sample letter to the editor and talking points for you to use in crafting letters to submit to your local newspapers. Sending these letters is helpful not only in elevating public discussion on this issue, but also letting your patients know your stance on the recommendations.
Contact your lawmaker: Help Members of Congress understand how the new USPSTF recommendations affect patients. Sample letters are available at the AUA Advocacy Center.
