A new study from UCSF has found that advanced prostate cancer cases are rising sharply in California, outpacing national trends. According to the study, between 2011 and 2021, the number of men diagnosed with late-stage prostate cancer increased by 6.7% per year in California, significantly higher than the national rate of 4.5% per year.
Experts urge smarter screening to catch aggressive cases early, but also caution against unnecessary procedures that can lead to complications. The study’s lead author, Erin Van Blarigan, emphasizes the importance of staying informed and proactive about personal health.
The research analyzed nearly 388,000 prostate cancer cases in California from 2004 to 2021 and found that 7.2% of those cases were diagnosed at an advanced stage, where the five-year survival rate drops to just 37%. The Central Coast saw the fastest increase in advanced cases, while the San Francisco Bay Area had the lowest mortality rates.
The study’s findings highlight the need for more accurate screening methods and biomarker tests that can help doctors determine a patient’s risk more accurately. Van Blarigan says it’s essential to ask your doctor if a PSA test makes sense for you and to be proactive about understanding your risks.
Source: https://www.kqed.org/news/12025880/aggressive-prostate-cancer-surging-california-what-you-need-to-know