• The CDC will conduct research to determine if there is any link between childhood vaccinations and autism risk.
• Health experts have long said there is no substantial scientific evidence to connect vaccines with autism.
• Various factors may impact autism risk, with genetics being one of the strongest.
• Childhood vaccinations are generally considered safe and reduce the spread of infectious diseases like measles.
• Following routine vaccinations helps populations develop “herd immunity” to protect those who can’t receive vaccinations.

Despite a unanimous scientific consensus, health experts are once again defending the safety of childhood vaccines and so-called autism risk.

Health and Human Services (HHS) officials led by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., recently confirmed that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will investigate whether vaccines cause autism.

The public health announcement reignited a longstanding debate over a theory lacking substantial scientific evidence.

“As President Trump said in his Joint Address to Congress, the rate of autism in American children has skyrocketed. CDC will leave no stone unturned in its mission to figure out what exactly is happening,” a department statement said. “The American people expect high quality research and transparency and that is what CDC is delivering.”

Vaccines are widely regarded as safe and effective. However, vaccine skepticism and hesitancy have contributed to low childhood vaccination rates in the United States.

Vaccinations help prevent the spread of infectious diseases while protecting those who can’t receive them. Most health experts agree they do not cause autism.

No evidence linking vaccines and autism risk

Experts told Healthline there have been multitudes of reputable studies on the topic over the past 20 years, and none have established a definitive link between autism and childhood vaccines.

“The scientific community has researched this very thoroughly and there’s no evidence that childhood vaccine cause autism,” said Danelle Fisher, MD, a pediatrician at Providence Saint John’s Health Center in Santa Monica, CA.

“Scientists from around the world have approached this question in several different ways and none has found a relationship,” added Bryan King, MD, vice chair for child psychiatry and a professor in the school of medicine at the University of California San Francisco. “Scientists have also looked at whether different preservatives in vaccines could have an effect and none exists.”

Experts reaffirmed the importance of children receiving their scheduled vaccinations to prevent infectious and potentially deadly illnesses like measles from spreading. The growing measles outbreak that began in western Texas in January has been linked to low vaccination rates.

“In some ways, we are victims of our success when it comes to vaccines,” King said. “They can be so successful in preventing severe illness and death that we can lose sight of why we need or want to be protected from those potentially devastating diseases. We forget how devastating those diseases are.”

King and other experts noted that vaccinating the majority of children can help protect children who can’t receive vaccines because they are undergoing cancer treatment or have compromised immune systems.

“We need to cocoon these kids,” said Gina Posner, MD, a pediatrician at MemorialCare Medical Group in Fountain Valley, CA.

“It is incumbent upon everyone to be good community members,” added Fisher.

Facts about autism

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a broad term used to describe a group of neurodevelopmental conditions.

The conditions generally affect communication and social interaction. People on the autism spectrum often demonstrate restricted and repetitive interests or patterns of behavior, and language skills are often delayed in children.

The degree to which a person falls on the autism spectrum may vary greatly from person to person. Five subtypes of autism have been identified.

Most people are diagnosed with autism as children, but adults are sometimes diagnosed as well.

Some symptoms of autism may include:

• repetitive movements such as rocking or arm flapping
• lining up objects such as toys in a strict order
• repeating words and phrases over and over again
• becoming upset over minor changes in routines
• delayed movement, language, or cognitive skills
• excessive worry or stress
• unusual levels of fear (either higher or lower than expected)
• hyperactive, inattentive, or impulsive behaviors
• unexpected emotional reactions
• unusual eating habits or preferences
• unusual sleep patterns
• self-stimulating behaviors, known as “stimming“

Experts say early intervention when children are young can help ease symptoms and help autistic people improve their quality of life.

“Early intervention is amazing,” Posner told Healthline. Some early intervention therapies for autism may include:

• discrete trial training to encourage step-by-step learning
• early intensive behavior intervention with one-on-one therapy sessions that help children under 5
• verbal behavioral interventions
• positive behavior support
• cognitive behavioral therapy
• social skills training
• sensory integration therapy
• occupational therapy
• speech therapy
• medication (i.e., antipsychotics, antidepressants, or stimulants)

How prevalent is autism?

President Donald Trump and HHS Secretary RFK Jr. have quoted figures saying autism rates in the U.S. have skyrocketed from 1 in 10,000 children in 2000 to 1 in 36 children today. The 1 in 10,000 number appears to come from a single study in the 1960s.

The CDC reports that autism rates have more likely increased from 1 in 150 children in 2000 to 1 in 36 today.

The agency also notes that an autism diagnosis is four times more common in boys than it is in girls.

Experts note they believe the increase in autism rates in the past two decades is due to better diagnosis of the condition. King points out that vaccination rates have not increased in the past 10 years while the rate of autism diagnoses has gone up.

“The rate of autism is as much as it’s always been. Now, it’s just identified better,” Fisher told Healthline.

“A lot of it is we are better at diagnosing,” added Posner.

King added that “the definition of autism now includes a broader spectrum, which may partially explain the increase in prevalence over earlier estimates.”

Possible causes of autism

If vaccines don’t cause autism, then what does?

Experts say there are probably a multitude of factors behind the development of autism, but they say the number one reason is most likely genetics, noting that autism tends to be more common in some families than in others.

In 2023, researchers reported they had identified seven genes linked to an increased risk of autism.

When introducing their research results, they also noted that prior research has estimated that 50% of genetic risk can be predicted by common genetic variation, and another 15% to 20% is due to spontaneous mutations or predictable inheritance patterns.

“None of the hundreds of genes that contribute to the risk for autism is specific, that is, that a so-called autism gene always or only leads to autism,” King told Healthline. 

“But these genes disrupt the usual development or function of pathways in the brain in ways that significantly increase autism risk. The timing of these effects begins before birth, so as scientists look for causes of autism, the focus is on genes or environmental exposures that occur long before children are receiving immunizations,” he added.

Experts said that children of older parents tend to have higher autism risks due to the aging of sperm and eggs. A 2020 study determined that children born to older parents have a 50% higher risk of autism.

Posner added there is also evidence that premature infants have higher autism risks, as do children born to mothers with gestational diabetes.

“You can’t specifically point to one cause,” said Fisher. “No two autistic kids are the same.”

Takeaway

Officials at the CDC announced they will study whether childhood vaccines are a potential cause of autism.

Experts say there have been a multitude of scientific studies done on this subject over the past 20 years, and none have concluded that vaccinations are linked to autism risk.

Genetics is likely a top factor for autism risk. Children born to older parents, as well as those born prematurely or to mothers with gestational diabetes, may also have higher risks.

Children should continue to follow their recommended immunization schedules to prevent the spread of disease as well as to protect children who can’t receive vaccines.

• Colorectal cancer is on the rise in people under 50 years old.
• One man shares his journey of being diagnosed at 38 and the importance of regular screenings.
• Colonoscopies can detect colorectal cancer early and save lives.

At 38 years old, William Lindley began experiencing stomach issues, including a constant urge to go to the bathroom.

“At the time, I was dipping tobacco and had been for several years…usually after I ate and I dip, I’d have to go to the restroom,” he told Healthline.

After a few months of consistent symptoms, he thought he might have irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). However, once his condition began interfering with his work as a police officer in Mississippi, he knew something more serious was happening.

“I worked on the interstate doing police work, and so I’d have to come off the road three or four times [during my shift] to go to the restroom, but when I tried, I couldn’t go. Then I started seeing blood in my stool,” said Lindley.

After seeing a doctor and undergoing a colonoscopy, he was diagnosed with stage 4 colorectal cancer (CRC).

A foot of his colon was removed, and a colostomy bag was attached. A PET scan determined that his liver was affected, too. He traveled to MD Anderson in Texas, which could offer him more effective treatments, including chemotherapy.

“After four rounds of chemo, I took off a month before I had the liver resection, which they did robotically. They got all four spots [of cancer] and removed about 5% of the liver,” said Lindley.

A few months later, spots showed up on his lung, which required more chemotherapy and lung surgery in January 2025. Now, Lindley requires no further treatment, and he continues to follow up with his doctors.

“I feel great. I’m really blessed that my body’s been able to heal fast,” he said. “I’m ready to go back to working out.”

Now 41 years old, his perspective on life has changed, including his decision to not let work carry over into his personal life.

“I’ve always been a big family guy, but when my job is done, I make sure that I spend time with my family and not take things that I used to take so serious,” said Lindley.

Lindley hopes other young people learn from his experience and see a doctor when they experience symptoms.

“We can be stubborn. We don’t want to go get checked. We don’t want to say there’s a problem, we don’t want to deal with it,” he said. “At the time I was diagnosed, I had no idea that colorectal cancer was becoming an issue with younger and younger people. If I had seen a doctor sooner, maybe I would have been in stage 1.”

Sharing his story with friends and family has resulted in some of them getting screened with colonoscopy.

“A couple found a few polyps and got those removed before it became any kind of issue,” said Lindley.

Concerning rise in young people with colorectal cancer

The White House recently issued a statement stating that every year, 150,000 Americans are diagnosed with colorectal cancer.

Moreover, 50,000 people die from the disease, making it the leading cause of cancer death among Americans ages 18 to 49. There is also concern that colorectal cancer is rising in children.

Christine Parseghian, MD, associate professor of gastrointestinal medical oncology at MD Anderson Cancer Center, said there has been a steady decrease in the incidence of colorectal cancer in adults over the age of 50 in the last several decades.

“This is due in large part to changing patterns in risk factors, such as reductions in smoking, increased use of aspirin, and particularly the uptake of CRC screening [with] colonoscopies,” she told Healthline.

However, incidence rates have nearly doubled in U.S. adults under 50 years old since the early 1990s.

“The reasons are complex and not fully understood, but may include dietary changes, obesity, sedentary lifestyles, and genetic predispositions,” said Parseghian. “Physical inactivity, sedentary behavior, and increased caloric intake progressively lead to the development of obesity — an established risk factor for early-onset CRC.”

Although cases of early-onset colorectal cancer more often have a genetic component, approximately 80% of newly diagnosed young-onset CRC patients do not have an inherited predisposition.

Lindley falls into this group. Because his mother lives with adenoid carcinoma and his grandmother died from pancreatic cancer, both he and his mother were genetically tested. Neither carry any known genes that put them at increased risk for cancer.

“[We] have many patients who live healthy lifestyles with no known genetic risk factors who are diagnosed at a young age and otherwise seem perfectly healthy,” said Parseghian.

More research is needed to determine the reasons for this. However, she said some researchers have found links to disruptions in the gut microbiome composition that may be caused by dietary changes or antibiotics. These disruptions could lead to inflammation and increased risk of several diseases, including colorectal cancer.

“Others have discovered that, as young-onset CRC tumors are often more aggressive, these cancers are more likely to suppress the body’s immune responses to cancer,” said Parseghian.

Researchers also point to various environmental exposures and pollutants.

“We still have much to learn about the potential contributing factors in young-onset CRC, but progress is being made steadily with institutional research programs focused on young-onset CRC here at MDACC and other large academic centers across the world,” Parseghian said.

Early detection of colon cancer saves lives

In 2021, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force updated its colorectal cancer screening guidelines for average-risk patients to begin at age 45.

“Colonoscopies are the best way to prevent CRC. Increasing rates of colonoscopies have resulted in steep declines in incidence among adults ages 50 years and older,” said Parseghian.

When colonoscopy finds pre-malignant polyps, they are removed, which eliminates the risk of them transforming into invasive cancer.

“If tumor is found during colonoscopy, the earlier it is found may make surgical resection easier and cure more attainable,” Parseghian said, “That 24–48 hours of dietary inconvenience and bowel preparation can truly prevent a lifetime of suffering.”

She noted that physical activity reduces the risk for CRC by approximately 30%.

Other general risk-reducing recommendations include:

• not smoking
• reducing intake of alcohol and processed foods
• eating less red meat and saturated fats
• eating more vegetables and fruits
• decreasing body weight

Early warning signs of colorectal cancer

Common symptoms in early-onset colorectal cancer include:

• abdominal pain
• weight loss
• change in bowel habits
• rectal bleeding

“Studies suggest that painless bleeding could precede other colorectal cancer symptoms by 2 to 3 years, and that patients with early-onset colorectal cancer who are symptomatic might wait up to 6 months before seeking assistance,” said Parseghian.

Regardless of your age, if you experience any symptoms that may indicate warning signs of colon cancer, you should reach out to your doctor.

“We need to raise awareness of this deadly disease, particularly in the young adult population,” Parseghian said.

• “Cozymaxxing” is a new self-care trend on TikTok focused on creating a comforting, stress-free environment. 
• The practice may provide several mental health benefits, such as reduced stress, improved emotional regulation, and better sleep quality.
• As with many wellness trends, cozymaxxing is a self-care practice and not a substitute for mental health treatment. 
• Experts recommend “mental health check-ins” when practicing self-care.
• To start cozymaxxing, create a comforting environment, limit digital distractions, and integrate rest with movement and social connection.

If changing into your pajamas, lighting a candle, and wrapping yourself in a blanket sounds like your idea of self-care, then you’ll love TikTok’s latest wellness trend: #cozymaxxing. 

This snuggly practice is being hailed among TikTok users as an antidote to stress. 

Search “cozymaxxing” on TikTok and you’ll unearth a trove of comfort and serenity: people wrapped in fluffy blankets, lighting candles, enjoying their favorite comfort shows, and listening to gentle music to unwind. 

The self-care trend is about engaging in cozy, comforting rituals that help promote stress relief and calm. 

Ken Fierheller, registered psychotherapist at One Life Counselling & Coaching, described cozymaxxing as “intentionally curating your home and habits to prioritize relaxation and coziness.” 

Why is cozymaxxing so popular? 

Fierheller told Healthline there are many reasons cozymaxxing is proving popular right now. Chief among them? Burnout. 

“People are burnt out and looking for ways to create little pockets of peace in their lives,” he said. 

“There are a lot of stressors in the world right now, and finding little moments of feeling safe and cozy is a great way to relax and destress.” 

Ritika Suk Birah, consultant counseling psychologist and founder of Reflect with Dr Ritz, agreed. 

“People are increasingly rejecting the glorification of busyness and hustle culture, opting instead for self-care and balance,” she told Healthline.

Birah added you shouldn’t underestimate the lingering aftereffects of the pandemic that led many people to prioritize their mental health and practice self-care.

“The pandemic forced many of us to stay home, leading to a deeper appreciation of comfort and safety within personal spaces,” she noted.

Financial uncertainty and political turmoil could be other reasons people seek comfort in the cozy.

“Economic stress, climate anxiety, and political instability make people crave a sense of safety and control, and we often find this in cozy, familiar environments,” Birah explained. 

Mental health benefits of cozymaxxing 

Experts interviewed by Healthline agreed that cozymaxxing could benefit your mental health. 

“A cozy, predictable environment signals safety to the brain, reducing cortisol (the stress hormone) and promoting relaxation. This, in turn, can lead to a reduction in stress and anxiety,” Birah said.

Another benefit could be an increase in emotional regulation. Consciously relaxing and getting cozy may give you time to reflect on and manage your emotions. 

“Engaging in comforting activities, whether it’s journaling or sipping tea, supports the parasympathetic nervous system,” Birah added. 

This branch of the nervous system is responsible for the body’s “rest and digest” functions and works in opposition to the body’s “fight or flight” stress response. 

Birah added that cozymaxxing may help people manage feelings of unease because the practice promotes feelings of security and offers a sense of control. 

Improved sleep quality is another potential mental health benefit that should not be overlooked. 

“Creating a comforting space is great for stress relief and can even improve sleep because a clutter-free, inviting space makes it easier for you to wind down and get quality rest, which is key for emotional balance,” Fierheller explained. 

Self-care is effective when done with intention 

Wrapping yourself up in a blanket or sipping hot tea to self-soothe after a stressful day seems to be a pretty harmless ritual. 

However, if not done with some parameters, cozymaxxing could lead to avoidance.

“I always come back to intention and balance with any behavior, as people can worry about over indulging when it comes to self-care,” Birah said. 

She recommended mental health check-ins when practicing self-care by asking yourself the following questions: 

• “Am I withdrawing from others?”
• “Am I avoiding my responsibilities?”
• “Have I moved my body enough today?”

“Excessive coziness without movement can contribute to physical health issues or lethargy while using coziness as an escape can lead to procrastination or difficulty facing stressors,” Birah explained. 

Her advice? Check your intentions and ask yourself, “Am I resting to recharge, or am I avoiding something difficult?”

She said it’s a good idea to set a time limit for cozy rituals to avoid falling into isolation or excessive escapism. 

If you find that your feelings of stress or anxiety have become difficult to manage on your own, consider finding a therapist or connecting with a mental health professional for support.

Tips for getting started with cozymaxxing 

If cozymaxxing sounds like what you need to help you with stress management, getting started is pretty simple.

Birah advised starting by curating your space. “Add soft lighting, blankets, warm colors, and scents like lavender or vanilla to create a calming environment.” 

Next? Create a comforting ritual. “Have a daily ritual like making a warm drink, reading, or stretching before bed to signal relaxation,” Birah said. 

Fierheller recommended setting aside time for a bath with some gentle music and a candle. 

Both experts are advocates for putting smartphones and other devices away during a cozymaxxing practice.

“Our phones and laptops can be a big source of stress, especially if we’re checking work emails after hours or feeling obligated to respond to people right away,” Fierheller said.

“Carving out digital free time can be a great way to embrace the cozy, stress-free environment you’re trying to create.” 

Birah noted incorporating gentle movement into your day can also be cozy. “You can stay active with gentle, cozy-friendly movements like yoga, stretching, or a short walk in comfy layers.” 

Finally, remember that cozymaxxing doesn’t have to be a solitary activity. When you’re stressed, a little “me time” can go a long way.

On the other hand, sometimes being around others can also help you feel recharged. 

“Invite loved ones to share in your cozy rituals, whether it’s a film night, a pot of tea, or a slow Sunday brunch,” Birah said. 

Takeaway 

Cozymaxxing is a low-effort and effective way to take care of your mental health, but it should be seen as a tool for restoration rather than avoidance. 

By balancing coziness with movement, connection, and purpose, cozymaxxing can be a sustainable, healthy self-care practice supporting physical and emotional health.

• The WHO reports that the number of tuberculosis cases in children is rising in Europe.
• The health officials add that the treatment success rate for the disease is also well below target goals.
• Experts say a rise in TB cases in Europe could mean a future surge in cases in the United States.

A new report from the World Health Organization (WHO) shows rising tuberculosis rates among children in Europe.

On March 24, the WHO announced a 10% increase in new or relapsed tuberculosis cases in children under 15 years of age in the agency’s European Region, which covers Europe and Central Asia.

There were 7,500 TB cases recorded in 2023, including more than 2,400 in children under the age of 5, who have higher risks of serious illness or death from the disease.

Childhood cases now account for more than 4% of all people with new or relapsed tuberculosis cases in the European Region.

Overall, WHO officials said more than 172,000 people in the European Region were reported to have new or relapsed tuberculosis in 2023, similar to 2022 levels.

The death rate from tuberculosis declined, but officials said the decrease was at a smaller rate than seen before the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.

WHO officials noted the treatment success rate among people with new or relapsed tuberculosis was about 75% in the European Region. They said that figure is well below the 90% success rate set by global targets.

In addition, WHO officials said they are concerned about emerging multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDRTB). They said the treatment success rate in the region for those strains is less than 60%.

They noted several challenges in reversing the trend in tuberculosis cases. These challenges include delays in diagnosis, the need for more effective treatments, and insufficient access to current treatments.

These issues are escalating as funding for international aid is being reduced. The United States, for example, has contributed between $163 million and $816 million annually to WHO in the past decade. In January, the Trump administration announced that the U.S. would withdraw from the WHO and halt funding.

In the face of these obstacles, WHO leaders are urging European and global leaders to scale up efforts to detect and treat people with tuberculosis (TB).

“Ending TB is not a dream. It’s a choice. Sadly, the current TB burden and the worrying rise in children with TB serves as a reminder that progress against this preventable and curable disease remains fragile,” Hans Henri P. Kluge, MD, WHO’s regional director for Europe, said in a news release.

Why are tuberculosis cases increasing?

Health experts in the U.S. agreed with Kluge’s assessment of rising TB cases.

“TB cases are rising again in Europe and elsewhere because of disruption of diagnostic and therapeutic services due to armed conflicts, COVID-related avoidance of direct medical care, and a reduction in financial support,” said William Schaffner, MD, an infectious disease expert and a professor of medicine at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, TN.

“People have to be contacted in order to be diagnosed and, once diagnosed, must take anti-TB medicines for months in order to be cured,” Schaffner told Healthline. 

“This takes trained public health workers to provide months-long education, supervision, and support of the patients.  If the public health workers are not supported, new cases will not be diagnosed or treated, and they will continue to spread TB to others.”

Monica Gandhi, MD, an infectious disease specialist and a professor of medicine at the University of California San Francisco, told Healthline there are various reasons for the increase in TB cases in the European Region.

“Even before these funding cuts, TB cases were rising in Europe likely because of failure to complete treatment (which be long and arduous for patients at 6 months or longer), failure to test people for TB, and the increased number of refugees coming into the country, especially from Ukraine (with a relatively higher incidence of MDR-TB),” Gandhi explained.

Could TB spread to the United States?

Experts say the European situation should concern people in the U.S.

“Europe and the U.S. are both in what are called ‘high income’ regions and so what happens in Europe often happens in the U.S. as well,” said Gandhi. “Therefore, we should be braced for an increase in TB cases here in the United States and be screening for them going forward.”

“Whatever infectious disease is ‘over there,’ it could be imported here,” added Schaffner. “The TB bacteria does not need a passport. Once here, the newly imported TB infection can spread to others in the U.S. and keep the infection going in our own population.”

Jason Andrews, MD, an infectious disease specialist and a professor of medicine at Stanford University, agreed.

“Because we live in such an interconnected world, failure to control TB anywhere will have effects everywhere, so we are seeing either rising cases or slowed progress in TB control in many places,” he told Healthline.

“This is coming at a time when the U.S. is reducing its financial commitments to TB programs worldwide, so many TB experts are worried that things will further worsen.”

The facts about tuberculosis

WHO officials report that nearly 11 million people globally became ill from tuberculosis in 2023, and more than 1.2 million died from the disease that year.

They estimate that tuberculosis has regained its status as the world’s leading cause of death from a single infectious agent after being replaced at the top by COVID-19 for three years.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) identified more than 10,000 tuberculosis cases in the U.S. in 2024, a slight rise from 2023 and the fourth straight year of an increase.

Tuberculosis, which was once called “consumption,” is a highly infectious disease that mainly affects the lungs.

The disease is spread by bacteria that is transmitted through droplets in the air that can be inhaled by anybody who is in the vicinity.

“It is one of the few predominantly airborne infectious diseases, which means that an individual with TB can infect another person without close contact and without even being in the same room at the same time,” said Andrews.

“So, we can’t think about TB as a problem for some specific group or in some specific place. TB is a threat to human health everywhere.”

The tuberculosis bacteria can remain dormant in a person for years before symptoms arise. Those symptoms include:

• cough lasting more than 3 weeks
• coughing up blood or phlegm
• chest pain
• unexplained fatigue
• night sweats
• loss of appetite and/or weight

Tuberculosis can be diagnosed with a skin test or a blood test. A chest X-ray is usually conducted on someone who tests positive for the disease.

Jimmy Johannes, MD, an internist, pulmonologist, and critical care medicine specialist at MemorialCare Long Beach Medical Center in California, said tuberculosis can leave people with permanent lung damage and other after-effects.

He added the disease can be particularly serious for people who are immunocompromised, particularly people living with HIV.

“Tuberculosis is by no means a low-risk proposition for these people,” Johannes told Healthline.

Tuberculosis may require long-term treatment

People diagnosed with tuberculosis usually have to take a combination of medications for six to nine months.

If a tuberculosis treatment regimen isn’t completed, the disease will likely return, perhaps in a form that is resistant to the original medications.

“Tuberculosis treatments are not simple,” Johannes said.

He added that even after treatment, tuberculosis remains in a person’s body. The immune system usually controls the disease in those situations but can flare up again.

“At any time, it can activate,” Johannes said. “It can be a bit of a ticking time bomb inside the body.”

Experts said this stubbornness and seriousness of tuberculosis is what makes it a dangerous disease, but they note it needs to be brought under control.

“In the modern era, we have the accurate diagnostic tests and effective anti-TB drugs to reduce TB to a historical anecdote,” Schaffner said.

“If we have the determination and provide the resources, the world’s community could achieve that goal.”

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Recent data shows a concerning upward trend of antibiotic-resistant gonorrhoea infections, particularly in popular tourist destinations across the Asia-Pacific region. This includes countries such as Thailand, China, Cambodia and Vietnam. These infections are sometimes called ‘super-gonorrhoea’ in the media.

• Men who avoided prostate cancer screening were significantly more likely to die from the disease, according to a large European trial.
• The reasons for ignoring screening are complex but may be related to a lack of education about the risks and benefits of prostate cancer screening.
• Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer in males after skin cancer.

Men who avoid prostate cancer screening face a significantly greater risk of dying from the disease, concludes a large European trial. Yet questions remain about why some males are hesitant to attend screenings and what can be done to encourage them.

Given the opportunity to screen for prostate cancer with a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test, a significant number of males choose not to attend — a decision that may have serious health implications.

A new analysis of the European Randomized Study of Screening for Prostate Cancer (ERSPC), the world’s largest prostate cancer screening study, has identified this “screening avoidance” as a major mortality risk factor. 

The findings were presented at the European Association of Urology Congress 2025, March 21–24, in Madrid, Spain. The research has not yet been published in a peer-reviewed scientific journal.

Researchers performed a subanalysis of the massive study, which included the participation of more than 72,000 males invited for prostate cancer screening and 20 years of follow-up.

The results indicate that roughly 1 in 6 males (over 12,400) skipped all of their screening appointments, leading to a 45% higher risk of death from prostate cancer compared to those who did attend their screenings.

PSA testing has a long and sometimes contentious history as a screening method for prostate cancer that has led to serious debate about both its potential benefits and harms. However, newer research and other advancements in the field appear to be shifting the balance in favor of the benefits of prostate cancer screening.

“There’s good evidence that it prevents deaths. But the concern has always been that the side effects create an unclear balance of benefits to harms,” Robert Smith, PhD, senior vice president of Early Cancer Detection Science at the American Cancer Society, told Healthline. Smith wasn’t involved in the study.

“These findings, in a very large study with a very long-term follow-up, show a pretty dramatic benefit of screening,” he said.

Prostate cancer screenings lower death risk by 23%

Researchers from the Department of Urology, Erasmus MC Cancer Institute at the University Medical Center Rotterdam, The Netherlands, dubbed their analysis “The good, the bad, and the ugly,” as their findings identified benefits to PSA testing, but also significant barriers due to patient behavior.

Participants, consisting of males ages 55 to 69 years old, were randomized to one of two groups: those who were invited to attend screening appointments and those who were not (the control group).

Among the males invited to the screenings, a significant portion, dubbed “non-attenders,” skipped their screenings.

The so-called non-attenders were significantly more likely to die from prostate cancer than those who did attend. However, the findings get even more interesting compared to the control group.

Males who attended the screenings had a 23% lower risk of dying from prostate cancer compared to the control, while non-attenders had a 39% higher risk.

Furthermore, the benefits of screening are also likely understated due to the study design, which analyzed the entire group invited to screen, regardless of whether they actually attended. 

“Non-attenders can dilute the benefit of screening when the data is analyzed. It’s a downward drag on the outcome of those who are randomized to screening and actually show up in the first place,” said Geoffrey Sonn, MD, an associate professor of urology at Stanford Medicine who wasn’t affiliated with the research.

The flip side of this is that males who decline screening have a stark increase in risk of dying from prostate cancer compared to those who attend.

“This is the type of long term, randomized data that helps to put to rest the prior concerns that PSA testing may not be effective,” Jeffrey Tosoian, MD, MPH, an assistant professor of urology and director of Translational Cancer Research at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, told Healthline. Tosoian wasn’t involved in the study.

“Ultimately, the challenge lies in translating theoretical strategies into practice in a feasible and sustainable way to reach men across different populations and cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds,” lead study author Renée  Leenen, MD, a PhD candidate in urology at Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Department of Urology, Rotterdam, The Netherlands, told Healthline.

Why do men skip prostate cancer screenings?

The reasons why men might skip prostate cancer screening are complex; they also fall outside the scope of the current research. However, experts interviewed by Healthline offered a range of reasonable possibilities.

“There may be something that’s just different about a person who’s involved in a trial and told to do one thing that just doesn’t come in to be seen. They may not take as good a care of themselves in general,” said Sonn.

That is, males who choose to skip a screening might be  “care avoidant,” opting to forego preventive care and other healthy behaviors.

Tosoian suggested that outdated or incorrect information about PSA testing could also be a factor in dissuading men from attending.

“Perhaps some heard years ago that PSA screening might not be helpful, and that really stuck with them, so they’ve never really looked into it again,” he said.

Leenen noted some of the most common barriers also include:

• Practical concerns, such as time and money to attend screening.
• Not understanding risks of prostate cancer.
• Lack of knowledge about screening (especially in younger males).

1 in 8 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer

Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer in males after skin cancer. About 1 in 8 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer during their lifetime.

Globally, there are roughly 1.4 million new prostate cancer cases yearly, but according to The Lancet Commission on Prostate Cancer, that number is expected to more than double to 2.9 million cases in 2040.

With cases surging, what strategies can be adopted to address the 1 in 6 males who actively choose to avoid screening?

“A big component of this is education and the need for the population to understand the risk that prostate cancer poses,” said Tosoian.

Although screening recommendations for prostate cancer are narrow compared to some other forms of cancer, males at average risk should consider one at age 50, and those with higher risk might consider screening as young as 40.

According to Leenen, the most important factor in getting men to attend screening is the social aspect.

If a friend or partner prompts a man about screening, they are more likely to investigate it. Having a loved one or family member with cancer may also encourage men to seek screening.

Leenen cited education on prostate cancer risks, doctor-recommended screening, and prioritizing self-care as potentially motivating factors.

“Of these, the role of partners is particularly important in men undergoing screening for prostate cancer,” Leenen said.

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