Insight

Karen Knudsen: Taking a moment to celebrate one of the many research breakthroughs in prostate cancer

Karen Knudsen/LinkedIn

Jan 2, 2025, 19:52

Karen Knudsen: Taking a moment to celebrate one of the many research breakthroughs in prostate cancer

Karen Knudsen, Executive Strategic Advisor and Immediate Past CEO of the American Cancer Society, posted on LinkedIn:

“As we close out the year, I’m taking a moment to celebrate one of the many research breakthroughs in the fight against prostate cancer—made possible through continued investment in cancer research.

Prostate cancer remains a formidable challenge in the USA, accounting for ~1/3 of all new cancer diagnoses in men, and placing significant burden on patients, families, and healthcare systems.

While screening and early detection are key to reducing mortality, concerns about over-treatment of men with elevated PSA levels have been a longstanding challenge.

Enter the role of MRI.

A game changer!

As exemplified in Hamm et al., MRI can safely differentiate between men with high PSA levels who need a biopsy and those who can be monitored through active surveillance. This advancement enables us to:

-Reduce unnecessary biopsies and minimize their associated risks.
-Detect clinically significant cancers earlier and with greater accuracy.
-Alleviate patient anxiety through a less invasive and more precise approach to assessment.

This is more than a technological improvement—it’s a step forward in precision medicine that has the potential to transform prostate cancer care.

As we look ahead to 2025 and beyond, it’s essential to support the widespread adoption of evidence-based practices like these. The stakes are high, but with continued innovation and collaboration, we can shift the trajectory of prostate cancer and save lives.

Here’s to more wins in the fight against cancer in the year ahead!”

Karen Knudsen

Karen E. Knudsen is the Executive Strategic Advisor and Immediate Past CEO of the American Cancer Society (ACS). Prior to joining ACS, Dr. Knudsen served as executive vice president of Oncology Services and enterprise director for Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center at Jefferson Health.

She also served as president for the Association of American Cancer Institutes (AACI) and on the board of directors of the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR). She serves on the board of advisors for the National Cancer Institute, on 12 external advisory boards for NCI-designated cancer centers and on Exai Bio. She is an active member of several committees with the American Society for Clinical Oncology (ASCO), in addition to serving on other academic and for-profit advisory boards.