Prostate cancer cases spike in California, as doctors share potential reasons
Cases of prostate cancer are on the rise in California, according to a new study conducted by UC San Francisco (UCSF) that included nearly 388,000 men diagnosed with prostate cancer between 2004 and 2021. The research, published in JAMA, revealed that the incidence rate of cases increased by an average of 6.7% per year between 2011 and 2021.
Despite the rise in cases, prostate cancer mortality rates declined by 2.6% per year from 2004 to 2012 and plateaued from 2012 to 2021. These trends were consistent across age, race, ethnicity, and region, according to the researchers. In 2018, the U.S. Preventative Services Task Force recommended that men between the ages of 55 and 69 discuss the benefits and risks of screening with their doctors.
The increase in cases of prostate cancer corresponds with a change in guidelines for PSA (prostate-specific antigen) testing. The USPSTF stopped recommending routine screenings in 2012 in order to reduce the number of men being treated for non-threatening forms of the disease. However, the freeze in screenings may have led to a rise in cases of distant stage disease.
Prostate cancer is the most common cancer among men and the second-leading cause of cancer deaths. Many prostate cancer tumors are low-grade and non-aggressive, leading to overdiagnosis and unnecessary treatments. The PSA screening does not differentiate between aggressive and non-aggressive tumors, causing many men to be diagnosed with cancers that may not pose a threat.
Dr. Erin L. Van Blarigan, the lead author of the study, emphasized the importance of finding the best way to screen for prostate cancer. Early diagnosis is crucial for better treatment outcomes, especially for advanced cases where treatments are less effective. Regular screenings can help identify potentially fatal tumors without raising false alarms about non-threatening ones.
Dr. Marc Siegel, Fox News senior medical analyst, highlighted the need for regular screenings to diagnose prostate cancer early for better outcomes. Factors such as obesity, ultraprocessed foods, increased alcohol consumption, and fatty diets could contribute to the rise in cases of prostate cancer.
Dr. David R. Wise, urologic oncologist at NYU Langone Perlmutter Cancer Center, noted that the increasing incidence of metastatic prostate cancer in California in the 2010s may be a result of diminished prostate cancer screening. Optimized screening methods, including MRI and novel blood-based biomarkers, can help spare men with low-risk disease from unnecessary treatment while ensuring early detection for aggressive cancers.
In conclusion, the rise in cases of prostate cancer in California highlights the importance of regular screenings and early diagnosis. By utilizing advanced screening methods and understanding the risk factors associated with prostate cancer, healthcare providers can improve outcomes for men at risk of this prevalent disease.
