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Regards to all our listeners!

I'm Rob Logan, Ph.D. senior staff National Library of Medicine for Donald Lindberg, M.D, the Director of the U.S. National of Medicine.

Here is what's new this week in MedlinePlus.

To listen to Dr. Lindberg's comments, click here

The JAMA article, which the New York Times reported prompted the American Cancer Society's response, found that after 20 years of prostate and breast cancer screening, most statistics suggest an improved early identification and diagnosis of cancer (and the removal of tumors) have not resulted in significant declines in invasive, late stage cancer (or death rates) from prostate and breast cancer.

In contrast, the JAMA article carefully notes that screening for colon and cervical cancer (and tumor removal) seems to foster significant reductions in late stage invasive cancers and mortality rates.

While the JAMA article demarcates the comparative success of screening, early detection, diagnosis, and intervention for colon and cervical cancer, its three authors write (and we quote): 'it is disappointing that the absolute numbers of more advanced disease have not decreased nearly as much as hoped for either (breast or prostate) cancer' (end of quote).

The three authors cite a U.S. and UK study that found comparative significant increases of diagnosed prostate cancer in men in the U.S. – where screening is encouraged. However, the research does not suggest the identification and diagnosis of prostate cancer in the U.S. resulted in an expected, significant, comparative decline in related mortality rates.

Turning to breast cancer, the JAMA authors note a 40 percent increase in breast cancer diagnosis and close to doubling of early stage cancer detection has only resulted in a 10 percent decline in cancers that metastasize, or spread to adult women's lymph nodes, or elsewhere.

The authors note breast and prostate cancer account for 26 percent of all cancers in the U.S. About 194,000 women and about 192,000 men annually are diagnosed for breast and prostate cancer respectively in the U.S.

To reduce morbidity and mortality from prostate and breast cancer, the authors report new approaches need to be developed for screening, early detection, and intervention.

Meanwhile, the New York Times reported the JAMA article prompted the American Cancer Society (ACS) to reiterate prior acknowledgements about breast and prostate screening's limitations. ACS officials told the Times and other news organizations they hoped the public discussion would boost momentum for better clinical diagnostic cancer tools.

Both the New York Times and JAMA articles each note the issues associated with breast and prostate cancer screening's efficacy are not new. The Times reported that Barnett Kramer, M.D., the editor of the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, previously identified a related issue which he calls 'overdiagnosis.'

Several news organizations, including HealthDay, also noted the ACS' reiteration of breast and prostate cancer screening limitations and subsequent discussions resulted in public confusion. But we emphasize that the key issue discussed within the JAMA article is the need to improve diagnostic tests and procedures for breast, prostate as well as other cancers.

In the interim, as the discussion about breast and prostate cancer screening evolves, you can find current information about health screenings on three recommended health topic pages within MedlinePlus.gov. First, MedlinePlus.gov's health screening health topic page provides general background information, as well as links to several sites devoted to cancer screening.

The cancer screening information sites include 'Cancer Information Summaries: Screening and Detection' from the National Cancer Institute, which is available in the 'specific conditions' section. Cancer prevention and early detection worksheets for men and women (provided by the ACS) are available in the 'men' and 'women' sections of MedlinePlus.gov's health screening health topic page.

To find MedlinePlus.gov's health screening health topic page, type 'health screening' in the search box on MedlinePlus.gov's home page, then, click on 'health screening (National Library of Medicine).'

In addition, there are separate MedlinePlus.gov health topic pages devoted to breast and prostate cancer. To find MedlinePlus.gov's breast cancer health topic page, type 'breast cancer' in the search box on MedlinePlus.gov's home page, then, click on 'breast cancer (National Library of Medicine).' To find MedlinePlus.gov's prostate cancer health topic page, type 'prostate that's P..R..O..S..T..A..T..E cancer' in the search box on MedlinePlus.gov's home page, then, click on 'prostate cancer (National Library of Medicine).'

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We encourage you to use MedlinePlus and please recommend it to your friends. MedlinePlus is available in English and Spanish.

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It was nice to be with you….

Dr. Lindberg returns in the future.

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