PC Markers Algorithm

Posted by E. David Crawford, MD | Sep 2020

E. David Crawford, MD, presented “PC Markers Algorithm” virtually during the 21st Annual Future Directions in Urology Symposium in August 2020.

How to cite: Crawford, E. David. “PC Markers Algorithm” August 10th, 2020. Accessed Apr 2024. https://grandroundsinurology.com/pc-markers-algorithm/

Summary:

E. David Crawford, MD, Editor-in-Chief of Grand Rounds in Urology and Professor of Urology at University of California, San Diego, discusses how the PC Markers algorithm simplifies the process of screening, diagnosing, and treating prostate cancer for primary care physicians and urologists. Family practitioners and internists order 90% of PSA tests in men, but may be overwhelmed with other health concerns in their patients when deciding to refer them to urologists. Dr. Crawford discusses data behind the identification of PSA >1.5ng/ml as the trigger point for screening, with a significant increase in cancer diagnosis between 1.5-4.0ng/ml. He also notes that 73% of PSA tests are still below the 1.5ng/ml threshold of eligibility for further PCa screening. Dr. Crawford then details the development of the PC Markers algorithm and how it combines a range of blood, urine, and imaging biomarkers to better inform primary care physicians and urologists in how to proceed with prostate cancer screening, diagnosis, and treatment.

About The 2020 Virtual Future Directions in Urology Symposium
The Future Directions in Urology Symposium was founded 21 years ago to reflect on the current state of the urology community and predict trends in the treatment of urology conditions in the following 5-10 years. This conference brings together experts in the field, including urologists, medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, family practice doctors, researchers, and industry leaders to review current trends and prospects. Dr. Crawford presented this lecture during this year’s virtual conference in August 2020.

About The Author

E. David Crawford, MD

Researcher-physician E. David Crawford, MD, has devoted his career in medicine to educating the public about men's health issues and finding effective techniques and procedures to address prostate cancer, the most common malignancy affecting men in the United States. He is currently a Professor of Urology and Jack A. Vickers Director of Prostate Research at the University of California, San Diego. Dr. Crawford received his medical degree from the University of Cincinnati and his postgraduate training included an internship and residency in urology at the Good Samaritan Hospital in Cincinnati. He subsequently completed a genitourinary cancer fellowship at the University of California Medical Center in Los Angeles. Dr. Crawford is an internationally recognized expert in benign prostate hypertrophy, urologic cancers, and in particular, prostate cancer. He has conducted research in the treatment of advanced bladder cancer, metastatic adenocarcinoma of the prostate, hormone-refractory prostate cancer, and other areas of urological infections and malignancies. He has authored or coauthored over 810 scientific articles, has published seven textbooks, authored over 60 book chapters, and provided more than 2,200 educational talks for patients and physicians. In an effort to raise public awareness about prostate health, Crawford in 1989 founded the Prostate Conditions Education Council (PCEC). The non-profit organization is comprised of a consortium of leading physicians, health educators, scientists, and men's health advocates. PCEC's advocacy for free or low-cost prostate screening has affected the lives of millions of American men. He currently chairs the PCEC. Crawford is an active member of many national and international organizations, including the American Society of Clinical Oncology, the American Urological Association (AUA), and the American Association for the Advancement of Science. Within the AUA, he has been a member of the Committee to Study Urologic Research Funding and the prostate cancer clinical trials subcommittee. Crawford served on the board of governors, the scientific advisory board of the Southwest Oncology Group, and was chairman of the Genitourinary Cancer Committee for 27 years. This group is the largest clinical trials group in the world. Crawford's involvement in the national prostate cancer arena has been widely recognized. He has received many honors and awards, including the CAP Cure Annual Award for Scientific Presentation in 1999 In 1997, he was presented with a 'Freddie Award" at the AMA International Health and Medical Film Competition for the program, ITV: The Cutting Edge Medical Report (Prostate Cancer: Understanding, Diagnosing, and Defeating), which Crawford hosted with special guest, retired General Norman Schwarzkopf. Crawford again won a prestigious 'Freddie Award" 5 years ago... He is a member of Best Doctors of America and was named Healthcare Provider of the Year in the Denver Metro area by the Denver Business Journal. He has been recognized as one of the Best Doctors of America for the past two decades and is recognized as one of the top 20 urologists in the country, for men, by Men’s Health Magazine. In 2018 he received the honor of being named the Distinguished Alumnus of the Year from the University of Cincinnati School of Medicine. In May of 2019, he received the Presidential citation from the American Urological Association recognizing for his “tireless role in genitourinary cancer research that has benefited countless urologic cancer patients.” He accepted the position of Editor in Chief of Grand Rounds in Urology in June of 2019. In 2021, he was the recipient of the Merle Stringer, M.D. annual award for excellence in medicine by the Florida State Medical Association.

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