Celebrities and cancer screening

Gary Schwitzer takes exception to the universal recommendation for the PSA screening test for cancer.

Despite the many attempts to educate the public on the risks of blanket PSA screening, celebrities undo much of that by making uncritical endorsements:

So, producers of “Stand Up For Cancer”, you encouraged viewers to push their Dads to get an exam for which the benefits are uncertain and the harms are known.

And Big 3 TV anchors, you not only crossed a line from journalism into advocacy, but you did so for a cause that gave some very questionable and potentially harmful advice to whoever watched the big show.

Nuance doesn’t work well in advocacy. Those wondering why patients demand unnecessary tests ought not to look further than last Friday’s cancer telethon.