Support Prostate Cancer Research for Our Fathers

This November, you may have noticed many men suddenly sporting moustaches. These men have donated their faces to the cause of "Movember," when men grow mustaches to raise awareness and funds for prostate cancer research. This year, over 30,000 men, with a median age of 80, will die of prostate cancer. Although prostate cancer can kill victims as young as age 25 the majority of victims are older men, and the nursing home population is among the highest-risk group.

Research into prostate cancer is necessary because there is not currently a reliable screening test for detecting lethal prostate cancer. Last year, the National Cancer Institute released preliminary results from its 17-year study: Prostate Lung Colorectal Ovarian (PLCO) Cancer Screening Trial. The results showed that there was no mortality benefit from current practices of screening for prostate cancer. The results showed that although screening increased the diagnoses of prostate cancer, it did not increase the survival rate. It showed, in fact, that more men died in the aggressively screened group than died in the usual care group, although the difference between the numbers was not statistically significant.

These results have led many to speculate that misdiagnosis and overtreatment of prostate cancer are significant dangers. Although prostate cancer kills, so does cancer treatment, and men who are already weakened due to advanced age and deteriorated health are more susceptible than others to some of cancer treatment's serious risks, including surgical complications, infections, and increased risk of developing other cancers. This makes a misdiagnosis of prostate cancer a dangerous form of medical malpractice, especially among nursing home patients.

If you have lost a loved one as a result of cancer misdiagnosis that led to the overaggressive treatment of a non-existent or benign tumor, Cullan & Cullan can help. We're not just lawyers, we're doctors who know the difference between appropriate treatment and overtreatment. We can help a jury to understand that difference, too, and get you compensation for your tragic loss. To learn more, please contact us today at (602) 397-7600 for a free initial consultation.