Keeping Our Eye on the Ball: The American Society of Preventive Oncology in 2009

In 2009, the American Society of Preventive Oncology emphasized cancer prevention as a primary strategy, noting limited improvements in mortality rates for certain cancers despite advancements in treatment and early detection. The society stressed the importance of tobacco control and effective screening methods, such as colonoscopy, to reduce cancer incidence. Challenges included the limited number of cancers with identifiable premalignant markers and the need to address survivorship and quality of life due to treatment side effects. Concerns about overdiagnosis and overtreatment were raised, particularly with prostate cancer and PSA screening. The society advocated for better screening markers, molecular epidemiology, and precise exposure measurements, focusing on high-risk populations and the potential of screening regimens in reducing cancer risk.