NEW GUIDELINES SET FOR EARLY DETECTION OF PROSTATE CANCER 

Chicago November 16, 2005

The National Alliance of State Prostate Cancer Coalitions (NASPCC) announced today more stringent guidelines for early prostate cancer detection. They are as follows:

"NASPCC supports the early detection of prostate cancer in recommending that beginning at age 40 (35 for high-risk men, including African-American men and those with a definite or indeterminate family history of prostate cancer), men obtain a baseline PSA in combination with a DRE, and thereafter a PSA and DRE on an annual basis. PSA readings which increase over time may be more important than the PSA number of one score. The results of these tests need to be discussed between a man and his physician; and men are responsible to know and keep track of their own PSA scores."

The Prostate Cancer Research Institute (PCRI) and the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) along with their expert medical boards have recommended testing at age 40 for healthy men who choose to begin PSA screening. However, NASPCC is the first patient-driven prostate cancer support organization to actively promote these more aggressive guidelines to the public.

"This year, more than 230,000 men in the U.S. will be diagnosed with prostate cancer," said Merel Grey Nissenberg, NASPCC president. "NASPCC supports any measure that encourages men to get tested earlier and more often, so that they can live longer and have a better quality of life." NASPCC is the central resource center through which communications pass regarding prostate cancer-related policy, including best practices, funding resources and other strategic ideas. The NASPCC was born out of a need and desire to connect all of the networks of prostate cancer advocates across the nation, in order to create a stronger voice on behalf of all prostate cancer patients and their loved ones. The NASPCC believes that local and state advocacy groups' efforts must be streamlined for more effective prostate cancer advocacy, and it will thereby serve as a consortium to both improve the quality of life and save lives across the nation.