Earlier this month, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, an independent panel of health experts sponsored by the Federal government to develop guidelines for preventive medicine, stated that the risks of prostate cancer screening among men older than 75 years outweighed the benefits to them. The rationale was that prostate cancer grows very slowly among older men and, as a result, most will die of causes other than prostate cancer.

And, to add more controversy to this issue, the American College of Preventive Medicine stated in January 2008 that there was “insufficient evidence to recommend for or against routine population prostate screening.”

These conclusions will no doubt cause a lot of confusion and uncertainty among men and some healthcare professionals. It is likely that men will need to consult with their doctors about whether they should be screened given their specific medical history and health status.

Prostate cancer is the leading cancer among American men. Screening for prostate cancer consists of the digital rectal examination and the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test. The risks of excessive screening include anxiety and potential harm from unnecessary surgery and radiation therapy to some men whose cancers do not need to be treated.

Have a question about prostate cancer or screening? Ask members of the Healia Prostate Cancer Community.

We are delighted to announce that the American Diabetes Association (ADA) and Healia are working together to improve access to high quality and personalized diabetes information through our online health community Healia Communities. The ADA is the nation’s premier voluntary health organization supporting diabetes research, information, and advocacy.

Through this new collaboration, members of Healia Communities will now be able to ask questions of two prominent diabetes experts from the ADA, Dr. Sue Kirkman and Stephanie Dunbar. The ADA will also have a presence on Healia’s diabetes-related communities and have opportunities to communicate directly with Healia Communities members.

• Share your health knowledge, experiences, and favorite resources.
• Connect with people like yourself who’ve experienced your situation.
• Ask questions of the community, your peers, and health professionals

Sue Kirkman, MD is the Vice President of Clinical Affairs for the American Diabetes Association. Dr. Kirkman has primary responsibility for the work of ADA’s Clinical Affairs area, including oversight of the Professional Practice Committee and its clinical practice recommendations and consensus statements, which provide guidance and direction to health care professionals around the world.

Stephanie Dunbar, MPH, RD is the Director of Nutrition and Clinical Affairs at the American Diabetes Association. Stephanie has been with the ADA since August of 2001 and is currently responsible for managing nutrition-related activities and projects for the Association as well as assisting with development of ADA Clinical Practice Recommendations.

Join the Healia / American Diabetes Association Diabetes Community.

American Diabetes Association diabetes online health community