New Legislation To Make USPSTF More Transparent: Prostate Cancer Roundtable Supports Reform

    WASHINGTON, DC, June 25, 2012 /24-7PressRelease/ -- The Prostate Cancer Roundtable commends Congressmen Marsha Blackburn and John Barrow for their introduction of H.R. 5998, the USPSTF Transparency and Accountability Act of 2012.

The bill is designed to reform a process whose flaws were highlighted by the recent prostate cancer screening recommendation process. The Task Force failed to consider input from patient representatives and medical specialists. The Task Force also failed to reach out to other federal agencies conducting research on prostate cancer screening, and heavily relied on a study that has been universally criticized as being critically flawed.

"Patient representatives and medical specialists and stakeholders in the topic area under study need to be a part of the process of developing recommendations. This legislation will establish an advisory board to do just that," stated Merel Nissenberg, President of the National Alliance of State Prostate Cancer Coalitions.

"The recent prostate cancer screening recommendation by the Task Force largely ignored the benefits of screening for men known to be at high risk, including African American men, men with a family history of prostate cancer, veterans exposed to Agent Orange, and men with an above-average baseline PSA in their 40s. This legislation will require the Task Force to provide greater consideration of high-risk populations" stated Thomas Farrington, President of the Prostate Health Education Network.

The above statement has been issued on behalf of and endorsed by the following Prostate Cancer Roundtable member organizations.

- Ed Randall's Fans for the Cure
- Malecare Prostate Cancer Support
- Men's Health Network
- National Alliance of State Prostate Cancer Coalitions
- Prostate Conditions Education Council
- Prostate Health Education Network
- The Prostate Net
- Us TOO International Prostate Cancer Education and Support Network
- Women Against Prostate Cancer
- ZERO - The Project to End Prostate Cancer

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