The jury continues to be out as to whether or not all men should have a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test to look for prostate cancer. Last fall, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, an independent panel of experts whose recommendations help define high-quality healthcare for most Americans, issued a preliminary recommendation saying no to routine PSA testing for all men.

Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL): Recognition for Primary Care. Interviews from the American Society of Hematology Annual Meeting, 2011.

Does Every Adult Patient Need Aspirin? Your patients are likely to ask you about a meta-analysis just published in the Archives of Internal Medicine showing that while aspirin may reduce the risk of heart attack in middle-aged adults without known heart disease, the benefits are only modest.

PSA Testing and Mortality. There continues to be much controversy as to whether prostate cancer screening for all men older than 50 years is a clinically useful—or harmful—tool.

Panel Endorses Active Monitoring and Delay of Treatment for Low-Risk Prostate Cancer. An independent panel convened by the National Institutes of Health has concluded that many men with localized, low-risk prostate cancer should be closely monitored, permitting treatment to be delayed until warranted by disease progression.

PSA Testing: More Harm Than Good? The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force has released a draft document recommending against prostate-specific antigen (PSA)-based screening for prostate cancer. This recommendation applies to asymptomatic men, regardless of age, race, or family history.

News About Smoking and Tobacco Products. Current cigarette smokers have a higher risk of bladder cancer than previously reported, and the risk for women is now comparable with that of men, according to a scientific study from the National Cancer Institute.

Full Body Scanners Not Likely to Pose Radiation Threat to Passengers. With the summer travel season coming upon us, patients may ask you about the potential health dangers of the full body scanners found at many large U.S. airports. There has been much controversy about these devices, ranging from issues of privacy to bigger concerns as to whether the ionizing radiation utilized by these devices can cause cancer.

Pancreatic Cancer: Waiting for a Cure. A diagnosis of pancreatic cancer is devastating to patients and their families—especially given the exceptionally poor survival rate. This article will highlight the importance of early detection and help you manage your patients’ needs and expectations in an informative and compassionate manner.