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Health Information Research, Inc (HIR). is a 501 c3 not-for-profit company that provides medical and health information for prostate cancer patients and/or their families. In addition to providing the  information, HIR also assists its clients in interpreting and analyzing the information as it relates to them personally.

DIALOG can be of great value in calming fears and increasing understanding when it comes time to make important medical decisions.

CANCER SCREENING- THE CURRENT DILEMMA

There is currently a raging debate going on concerning the value of PSA screening relative to survival.  Organizations that heretofore promoted the idea of PSA screening as a life-saving procedure are re-thinking and even changing their positions as new research appears..

Even the usefulness of  mammograms for breast cancer is being challenged. Too many false positives and  negatives have cast shadows of doubt over the procedures. In late November, 2009, even the idea of breast self-examination by women is being challenged by some.

THIS WEB SITE WILL FOLLOW THE DEBATE AND PUBLISH  COMMENTARY AS THE ARGUMENTS DEVELOP.

REMEMBER WHEN EARLY DETECTION WAS THE WATCHWORD IN ALL CANCER? TODAY

THERE ARE CAVEATS.  TOO MANY PEOPLE ARE SUBJECT TO RISK OF MORBIDITY FROM TREATMENT

THAT MAY HAVE BEEN PREMATURE AND NOT NECESSARY.  IN PROSTATE CANCER ESPECIALLY, THE USE OF PSA SCREENING IS BEING CHALLENGED.  STATISTICS FROM LARGE STUDIES IN EUROPE AND THE USA HAVE DIFFERED IN RESULTS.  HOWEVER, THOSE STUDIES HAVE SHOWN SMALL GAINS IN OVERALL SURVIVAL  WHEN MEN WERE PSA SCREENED.  HOWEVER, MANY MEN WHO WERE UNNECESSARILY TREATED EXPERIENCED MAJOR SIDE EFFECTS WITH INCONTINENCE AND IMPOTENCE LEADING THE LIST.