06/13/25

What Are The Best Practices For Prostate Cancer Screening?

17:29 minutes

At doctors appointment physician shows to patient shape of prostate gland with focus on hand with organ. Scene explaining patient causes and localization of diseases of prostate, problems and signs
Credit: Shutterstock

Last month, former President Joe Biden announced that he had been diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostate cancer. The news sparked a larger conversation about what exactly the best practices are to screen for prostate cancer. Turns out, it’s more complicated than it might seem. Host Ira Flatow is joined by oncologist Matthew Cooperberg and statistician Andrew Vickers, who studies prostate cancer screening, to help unpack those complexities.

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Segment Guests

Matthew Cooperberg

Dr. Matthew Cooperberg is a urologic oncologist and professor at the University of California, San Francisco.

Andrew Vickers

Dr. Andrew Vickers is a statistician who studies the efficacy of prostate cancer screening at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center based in New York City.

Segment Transcript

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Meet the Producers and Host

About Shoshannah Buxbaum

Shoshannah Buxbaum is a producer for Science Friday. She’s particularly drawn to stories about health, psychology, and the environment. She’s a proud New Jersey native and will happily share her opinions on why the state is deserving of a little more love.

About Ira Flatow

Ira Flatow is the founder and host of Science FridayHis green thumb has revived many an office plant at death’s door.

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