New prostate cancer therapy triggers questions about cost, effectiveness and safety

Oct 29 2012

NPR: Pricey New Prostate Cancer Therapy Raises Questions About Safety, Cost
Because proton therapy can be targeted much more precisely, it should minimize any damage to sensitive nerves and tissue around the prostate. The hope is that it translates into far fewer side effects, such as impotence and incontinence. But proton therapy has become the center of an intense debate. Critics say it's an example of a big problem with the U.S. health system: Doctors start using expensive new treatments before anyone knows whether they work, whether they're safe, and whether they're worth the extra money (Stein, 10/29).