Stacy Loeb, MD, on combatting misinformation about prostate cancer

In a recent interview with Urology Times®, Stacy Loeb, MD, MSc, PhD (Hon), highlights common misconceptions about prostate cancer and offers insights into how urologists can help push back against misinformation. Loeb is a professor of medicine and population health at the NYU Grossman School of Medicine as well as a urologic oncologist at NYU Langone Medical Center in New York, New York.

Some of the common myths that Loeb touched on were that biopsies spread cancer and that prostate cancer has symptoms. According to Loeb, urologists need to be proactive about addressing these misconceptions, especially considering the potential ramifications.

“These kinds of myths are very concerning because somebody may not have any of those symptoms, and then they think, ‘Oh, I'm fine. I don't need to worry about prostate cancer. I don't have bone pain. I don't have blood in the urine.’ But that's not the case at all. The whole case is that prostate cancer doesn't have any symptoms at an early stage, and that's why screening is so important,” Loeb emphasized.

She went on to suggest ways that urologists can help to fight back against this misinformation, particularly online.

“What I recommend is an ‘information prescription,’” Loeb explained. “Our job is not just to prescribe drugs or surgical procedures, but also to be directive and to give our patients recommended sources for additional information, so that they are not left to this online Wild West that is out there.”

She also emphasized the value of participating in public media in order to share evidence-based information with the community.