Pulaski Times

Every two minutes, a man is diagnosed with prostate cancer in the United States, making it the second-leading cause of cancer-related deaths among men. In Arkansas alone, there were 2,950 new cases and 360 deaths last year. This places Arkansas 18th in incidence and 32nd in mortality nationally.

Prostate cancer risk factors include age, race, and genetic history. Men over 50 are advised to have annual screenings. The Cleveland Clinic notes that men over 65 account for most cases. Black men and those with African ancestry face higher risks and earlier onset of the disease.

A bipartisan bill has been introduced to expand insurance coverage for prostate cancer screenings. The Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) Screening for High-risk Insured Men (HIM) Act aims to require private health insurance plans to cover preventive screenings without cost-sharing for high-risk men. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) is co-leading this effort.

"The Prostate-Specific Antigen blood test is the most effective tool for detection," said one of the bill's sponsors. The legislation has backing from organizations such as ZERO Prostate Cancer and the American Urological Association.

Arkansas has seen advancements in treatment and awareness efforts. St. Bernards Medical Center recently completed Arkansas’s first Robotic Focal HIFU procedure, a noninvasive surgery targeting diseased prostate areas while preserving healthy tissue.

The Arkansas Prostate Cancer Foundation continues its work in education and early detection services since its founding by six survivors in 2000. Last September, it launched an awareness campaign involving high school football players and coaches.

In addition, Arkansas passed legislation in 2023 requiring health insurers to cover prostate cancer screenings for men over 40.

"Our General Assembly took up the cause as well," noted a senator involved in these initiatives, emphasizing the importance of saving lives through early detection and intervention efforts nationwide.