Segment 4 - Advances and Challenges in Prostate Cancer

In this segment of the panel discussion, Dr Fendrick asks the panelists if there is now a sense of optimism in reducing the mortality and quality gaps in prostate cancer treatment due to targeted screening and new molecular diagnostics, and immunotherapies. Dr Crawford notes that target screening has been around for years, but now people are listening. He does note the new molecular markers that allow clinicians to determine the aggressiveness in prostate cancer. “I think there is a lot of optimism and we are reframing this and actually listening to what people have said in the past,” said Dr Crawford.

Dr Shore replies by discussing disparities and mortalities for prostate cancer. “For prostate caner, there is virtually upwards of 100% differential in mortality through much of the Southeast of the United States and in virtually in every urban metropolitan city of this country, and it speaks to receiving inadequate care, inadequate screening, inadequate treatment, and that’s real low hanging fruit to do away with that disparity.”