USA Today column: Do new cancer drugs deserve their flashy headlines?

My USA Today column ran in this morning’s paper: New cancer drugs often get flashy headlines.

I discuss two cancer stories, reported the same day this past June. One included highly publicized drugs used to treat metastatic melanoma. The other was much less heralded, and involved the lack of efficacy in ovarian cancer screening.

Despite the difference in coverage, however, both stories are important:

I understand that any advance in cancer treatment is noteworthy. But it cannot overshadow less glamorous studies. A disproportionate focus on cutting-edge medicine will only perpetuate the demand for expensive treatments of uncertain benefit, and continue to fuel soaring health costs.

Enjoy the piece.

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