Renaming low-risk prostate cancer

A UCLA-led study published in JAMA Oncology proposes renaming Grade Group 1 (GG1) prostate cancer, the lowest-risk form, as a precancerous condition rather than cancer. The researchers argue that the term 'cancer' causes unnecessary anxiety and leads to overtreatment, with up to 40% of men opting for surgery or radiation despite guidelines recommending active surveillance. Using a mathematical model based on U.S. population data, they estimated that relabeling could prevent about 2,400 prostate cancer deaths annually by encouraging more men to undergo PSA screening, while acknowledging a potential small increase in deaths if some men neglect follow-up. The study's authors include Dr. Scott Eggener (UCLA), Dr. Andrew Vickers (Memorial Sloan Kettering), and others from UCSF and Johns Hopkins. Critics worry that removing the cancer label might reduce adherence to monitoring, but the model showed net benefit across various scenarios. The study is based on modeling and requires real-world validation.