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Introduction and objective The purpose of this study is to better characterize at which point during the course of diagnosis and treatment of locally advanced prostate cancer the internet is utilized and to evaluate the search trends over time. Methods Monthly Google Trends data were collected from 2004 to 2021 for prostate cancer-specific terms. Temporal trends were analyzed by comparing average search volume indexes (aSVI) and analysis with joinpoint software of six-month percent change (6mPC). Chloropleths were created for geographic pattern comparisons. Results Search terms associated with interventions demonstrated the highest aSVI with terms such as "prostate biopsy" (aSVI: 33.59), "prostatectomy" (aSVI: 31.6), and "prostate radiation" (aSVI: 16.45). Terms associated with treatment side effects increased at a high rate with "radiation side effects" (21.4 6mPC, p<0.05) and "prostatectomy side effects" (14.4 6mPC, p<0.05). Prostate-specific antigen (PSA)-related search terms demonstrated a strong positive trend on joinpoint analysis with search terms "What is PSA?" (8.9 6mPC, p<0.05), and "What is normal PSA?" (15.1, p<0.05). Geographic patterns demonstrated higher search volumes in regard to screening and diagnostic terms in the northeast, while the southern regions demonstrated relatively higher search volumes for treatment and interventions. Conclusions The internet continues to be a growing part of the dynamics of prostate cancer management with more men utilizing the internet each year to help understand their diagnosis. Specifically, we found that the internet is used more for searches pertaining to PSA, procedures, and interventions affecting the quality of life.
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Prostate cancer encompasses a complex heterogeneous disease spectrum. Physicians and patients are faced with the ambiguity of who should be screened, biopsied, rebiopsied, treated, or provided with adjuvant therapy. Personalized outcomes and treatments are especially important given the varied nature of the disease, plethora of treatment options, risks of morbidity, and quality of life. Today's practicing urologist has a multitude of tests from which to choose, creating the difficult task of appropriate use. This review focuses on two blood-, one urine-, and five genomic-based tests, which, when used in the appropriate clinical setting, can facilitate the patient-physician decision-making process.
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On October 7, 2011, the United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) released their evidence statement and grade D recommendation against prostate-specific antigen (PSA)-based prostate cancer screening. Using a time series design, we assessed the effect of this recommendation upon evaluations for elevated PSA levels and prostate biopsies in our large urology group practice. We found that, despite a 24.1% increase in total visits, the 32 urologists in our practice completed 16.4% fewer evaluations for elevated PSA levels (317 fewer evaluations per month; P = .017) and 21.4% fewer prostate biopsies (42 fewer biopsies per month; P = .001) in the 2 years following the USPSTF grade D recommendation.