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With the USPSTF in the midst of updating their recommendations for thyroid cancer screening, this advocacy organization is coming out with some seriously creative ads.

"Thyroid cancer is growing 7 times faster than breast cancer. Ask your doctor to check your neck. It could save your life."

"Thyroid cancer is growing 6 times faster than prostate cancer. [...]

With entries dating back to 2004, here are 15 classic blog posts on cancer screening:
1. Not all screening tests lead to early, better treatment
2. Will the Pap smear soon be replaced by a DNA test to detect cervical cancer?
3. Should men still be screened for prostate cancer?
4. Should we start screening women for ovarian cancer?
5. [...]

Cloudy days are starting to turn brighter for the biotech industry, many of whose smaller players have been strapped for cash amid the recession. A run-down of recent deals and other positive developments:

Exelixis is licensing two experimental cancer drugs to Sanofi-Aventis, and getting an upfront payment of $140 million.
MAP Pharmaceuticals reported very positive results for [...]

A recent poll conducted by the Consumer’s Union, publisher of Consumer Reports, found that only 4 percent of patients said their doctors talk with them about the cost of prescriptions. And 60 percent find out what the price is for the first time when they pick up their drugs at the pharmacy.
Should doctors discuss the [...]

Johnson & Johnson said late yesterday that it’s buying Cougar Biotechnology for about $894 million, or $43 a share. That’s a 16% premium to where the stock closed yesterday. Including Cougar’s cash on hand, the deal’s value is about $970 million.
Cougar’s lead product is an experimental drug called abiraterone, which is in late-stage trials for [...]

The following op-ed was published on April 23rd, 2009 in the USA Today.
As a primary care doctor, it’s heartening to hear President Obama call for “the largest investment ever in preventive care.” That means more people, for one, will be undergoing tests to screen for various forms of cancer. But this might be one of [...]

After its stock fell off a cliff yesterday only to soar back later, Dendreon is looking no worse for wear today. In fact, it was looking all the better to some on Wall Street as a potential takeover target.
Analysts are focusing on study data for its new prostate cancer treatment Provenge rather than the latest [...]

Dendreon’s gyrations continue: The biotech company’s shares surged this morning after a sudden plunge yesterday as Dendreon was to about to announce details of its latest Provenge study.
The share price more than doubled to $25.42 in morning trading. This comes after the shares’ roller-coaster ride yesterday, in which they hit a 52-week high of $25, [...]

Shares of biotech company Dendreon plummeted today as the company was getting ready for its long-awaited moment in the sun reporting positive results for its prostate cancer treatment Provenge.
After moving higher for much of the day and hitting a new 52-week high of $25 a share, the Seattle company’s stock plunged 45% just before trading [...]

My latest USA Today op-ed was published this morning.
I talk about controversies surrounding prostate and breast cancer screening, and how common sense doesn’t always apply when it comes to early cancer detection.
Here’s the bottom line: “Persuasive arguments can be made for and against screening, and the decision is a highly personal one. But patients [...]