Prostate cancer screening after 70: Experts question guidance after Biden's diagnosis

Former President Joe Biden’s aggressive prostate cancer diagnosis has raised questions about prevention and detection.

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends that men aged 55 to 69 discuss the potential benefits and risks of PSA (prostate-specific antigen) screening with their healthcare provider and make an individual decision about screening.

They recommend that men over the age of 70 skip screenings altogether.

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The USPSTF is a "commonly used" resource, although other agencies and associations offer varying guidelines, according to Dr. Shawn Dason, a urologic oncologist at The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center.

Dason stressed that it's important for men in their 50s and 60s to confer with their healthcare providers to make shared decisions on screening.

"They should engage in a discussion about the topic of prostate cancer and the role of PSA in screening — and the potential benefits and harms," he said.

There’s a "little bit of variability" in whether men under age 50 and over 70 should be screened due to potential risks, which can include over-treatment or unnecessary treatment, Dason said.

In past decades, "we didn't really have an understanding of the nuances … about when prostate cancer should be treated and when [it] should just be observed in a protocol called ‘active surveillance,’" he said. 

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It is possible for some men to be over-treated after a diagnosis, he also said.

In certain cases, the cancer may not have led to death or other clinical problems — but the treatment could cause "bothersome" urinary, sexual or bowel-related side effects, Dason said.

"You might be diagnosed with a prostate cancer that is not likely to actually cause your death or create any other problem for you," he said. 

"You might then receive treatment for that prostate cancer — and the treatment might be worse than the actual impact of the cancer itself."

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There is "much more limited data" to support that screening over the age of 70 could save a man's life from prostate cancer, Dason noted, while it's "pretty clear" that the harms of prostate cancer treatment increase with age."

Screening could reduce the chance of death in some cases, however, which is why it's important to have a discussion with a doctor, according to Dason.

Men who don't have symptoms but are considered of "average population risk" should be screened, he advised.

"Having symptoms is a totally different conversation," he said. 

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"Generally, when we use the term screening, we're talking about somebody who is not having any symptoms … They're having an annual health checkup."

Fox News' senior medical analyst Dr. Marc Siegel revealed that he’s been "bothered" by the guidelines not recommending routine prostate cancer screening, particularly for those over age 70.

"Studies have shown that use of the PSA has fallen off in men over the age of 40 as a result of the USPSTF recommendation," he wrote in a recent op-ed for Fox News Digital.

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"This is particularly disturbing considering that there are over 300,000 new cases of prostate cancer in the U.S. diagnosed every year, with over 35,000 deaths, many of which may be preventable with earlier diagnosis."

Siegel noted that treatment options have advanced over the years, and are now better tolerated with fewer side effects for patients at various stages and ages.

"Many critics are saying that a president of the United States should have the most aggressive prostate cancer screening regardless simply because he is president," he said. 

"But I am saying that all men over the age of 45 should have this screening. Period. Regardless of age."

Dason agreed that some men aged 70 and older are appropriate candidates for screening.

"If you're in good health, and you're going to have a reasonable life expectancy, the diagnosis of [a serious] prostate cancer could have a big impact on extending that life or improving your quality of life."

By contrast, men who are not great candidates due to health issues and limited life expectancy face greater harm from a screening than benefit, he clarified.

"I would encourage men to think about their situation and have a conversation with their medical provider."

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Memorial Day ‘Murph’: Could you complete this military fitness challenge?

Memorial Day is for remembering those who have made the ultimate sacrifice.

As Americans honor the day in their own ways, people across the country will be participating in a tough fitness challenge honoring fallen Navy SEAL Lt. Michael Murphy.

The challenge, known as "the Murph," consists of a variety of strength training and cardio activities, which Murphy himself used to complete during SEAL training.

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Murphy’s former SEAL roommate, Kaj Larsen, told Fox News Digital how he also participated in these workouts, which have turned into a national movement of patriotism.

"Murph and I would often run to the pull-up bars and then do this workout where we did 100 pull-ups, 200 push-ups and 300 air squats, and then we'd run back to our barracks room," Larsen said. 

"The total run was about a mile to the pull-up bars and a mile back, and this became one of Murph’s favorite workouts."

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Murphy would often wear his body armor as a challenge, originally calling the workout "Body Armor."

Now, tens of thousands of people on Memorial Day complete "the Murph."

"It’s a really beautiful way to honor him," Larsen said. "Murph would have loved the idea of thousands of people sacrificing through sweat. That was right up his alley."

He added, "He loved working out. And I think he's smiling down on us as he sees us all doing one of his favorite workouts."

The classic Murph consists of the following exercises, in order or broken up:

Murphy and Larsen would often do the workout with a 20-pound weighted vest, which is optional.

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For those looking to attempt the Murph this Memorial Day, Larsen said there is "no one way" to do it.

While some people train all year for the Murph, modifications are acceptable.

This can include partitioning the reps of push-ups, pull-ups and squats into sets, or subbing out pull-ups for jumping pull-ups or assisted pull-ups with a band. The runs can also be walked, Larsen noted.

"The point is to do something hard that challenges yourself in recognition and honor of those who have made the ultimate sacrifice," he said. "And if you do that, you have done the Murph."

Larsen, currently head of military investing and communications at Siebert.Valor, the military arm of Siebert Financial, spent 13 years in Naval Special Warfare as a SEAL and left the military at the rank of lieutenant commander.

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The veteran spent his rookie years with Murphy, who joined through Basic Underwater Demolition SEAL Training (BUDS) in 2001.

SEAL Officer Murphy, the son of a New York firefighter who is originally from Long Island, was part of a team that specialized in long distance and special reconnaissance.

In 2005, during his first combat deployment to Afghanistan, Murphy was part of Operation Red Wings, designed to go after a senior-level Taliban operative, Larsen described.

The operation has been memorialized as one of the greatest losses in Naval Special Warfare history.

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Murphy’s team was compromised, overwhelmed by superior forces as a firefight broke out. There were no survivors except for one SEAL, Marcus Luttrell.

A Quick Reaction Force (QRF) helicopter with eight SEALs flew in to support the SEALs on the ground, Larsen said.

This helicopter arrived due to Murphy’s moment of heroism, where he exposed himself to "excessive enemy fire" to reach radio communication, Larsen recalled.

"He got up on top of a boulder, which was the only place that he could make comms to call in the quick reaction force," he said. "This ended up saving the life of Marcus Luttrell."

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"Mike was killed on June 28, 2005, in Afghanistan. They identified him in part because underneath his uniform, he was wearing a New York Fire Department T-shirt – FDNY T-Shirt – as a tribute to his dad, Daniel Murphy."

Murphy received the Medal of Honor for his actions that day, and the U.S. Navy commissioned a battleship named the USS Michael Murphy.

Operation Red Wings has since been immortalized in a book by Marcus Luttrell and in the movie "Lone Survivor" starring Mark Wahlberg.

A museum in Murphy’s honor was also built in his hometown of West Sayville, New York.

Murphy’s workout was also picked up after his death by the CrossFit community, which turned it into a "massive cultural movement," Larsen said. 

"The Murph is hard, and it's designed to be hard," he added. 

"And I, for one, just appreciate everybody continuing to keep Murph and other soldiers like him who have paid the ultimate sacrifice in their hearts and in their minds."

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Dog owners who ruminate about work stress may pass anxiety to their pooch: study

If your job has you feeling tense, your dog might be feeling it too.

A new study published in Scientific Reports finds that stress from work can affect your dog at home.

The research, led by Tanya Mitropoulos and Allison Andrukonis, shows that when dog owners dwell on work problems after hours, a habit known as "work-related rumination," their pets show more signs of stress.

Researchers surveyed 85 working dog owners. They measured job stress and how often people kept thinking about work during their free time. Then they asked how stressed owners thought their dogs were and also tracked actual behaviors linked to canine stress, like whining, pacing or restlessness.

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The study found that owners with higher job stress had dogs who showed more stress-related behaviors. That link stayed strong even when the researchers accounted for other stress in the home. Interestingly, owners didn’t always realize their dogs were stressed. It was a pup's behavior that told the story.

The big factor driving the connection? Rumination. Owners who mentally took work home were more likely to have stressed-out dogs. Thinking about work off the clock seemed to spread stress from humans to pets.

This idea is known as "crossover," when one person’s stress spills over to others in a home. Previous research has shown this happens between spouses, and now there’s evidence it can happen between people and their pets too.

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Dogs are especially sensitive to their owners’ moods. Scientists call this "emotional contagion," the idea that dogs can pick up on human feelings through tone of voice, body language and other subtle cues. When an owner is distracted or irritable from work stress, the dog notices. Over time, this can affect the dog’s well-being.

The study also suggests another explanation. When people are focused on work problems, they may become less patient, more distant or less consistent with routines like walks and feeding. That kind of change in care can also increase stress in dogs.

The authors point out that Americans overwhelmingly see their pets as part of the family. That makes it even more important to understand how our behavior affects them.

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In the study’s words, "employed dog owners might benefit from avoiding work-related ruminations when at home to protect the well-being of man’s best friend."

Putting work aside when you walk through the door doesn’t just help your own health. It helps your dog, too.

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Billy Joel diagnosed with brain condition — here’s what to know about his diagnosis

Following his diagnosis with a brain condition, singer Billy Joel has canceled all scheduled concerts.

The five-time Grammy winner, 76, announced on Friday that he has normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH), which occurs when cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) builds up inside or around the brain.

"This condition has been exacerbated by recent concert performances, leading to problems with hearing, vision and balance," stated the announcement on Joel’s website. 

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"Under his doctor’s instructions, Billy is undergoing specific physical therapy and has been advised to refrain from performing during this recovery period."

Hydrocephalus is a general term describing the buildup of excess fluid in the brain. 

"The fluid, called cerebrospinal fluid, is constantly produced in fluid-filled spaces in the center of the brain called ventricles," Potts said. "It flows through the ventricles and then around the surface of the brain and spinal cord, where it is then reabsorbed."

Hydrocephalus can happen for a variety of reasons, including infection, trauma to the brain or bleeding within the brain, the doctor said.

Normal pressure hydrocephalus is a version of the condition that is typically seen in older people, where the cerebrospinal fluid builds up without increasing the pressure in the brain. 

Despite the fact that pressure remains normal, NPH can impact brain function, particularly the areas of thinking, memory, movement and focus, according to Cleveland Clinic.

The three main effects of NPH are gait issues, urinary incontinence and cognitive difficulties. Collectively, these symptoms are known as "Hakim’s triad."

The cognitive problems can include memory loss, slow thinking and difficulty, according to Mia Kazanjian M.D., a board-certified radiologist in private practice based in Connecticut.

"This can negatively impact someone’s career and personal life, limiting the ability to do activities of daily living like eating, bathing and dressing," Kazanjian, who was not involved in the study, told Fox News Digital. "This can also lead to emotional changes, like depression."

Urinary incontinence means loss of bladder control, which can cause discomfort, anxiety and embarrassment, according to the doctor.

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"This can predispose someone to bladder infection and skin irritation," she cautioned. "If someone has to get up in the middle of the night due to this, he or she is more likely to fall. Furthermore, it can lead someone to isolate socially, which can lead to feelings of loneliness."

Gait impairment means the person’s steps are unsteady, there is loss of balance, and feet can stick to the ground, shuffle or freeze, Kazanjian said.

"The danger is that someone can fall and sustain trauma with a significant injury," she warned.

The condition can often be mistaken for dementia, but some cases of NPH can be treated and reversed.

The only known risk factor for NPH is age, Cleveland Clinic noted, with the average age of onset around 70.

Other factors, such as race, gender or ethnicity, do not appear to impact the chances of the condition occurring.

Approximately 0.2% of people between 70 and 80 will develop NPH, and it affects around 5.9% of those over 80, the above source stated.

Only around 0.003% of people under 65 will get the condition.

"About 30% of people with NPH also have Alzheimer’s disease or a similar degenerative brain disease," Cleveland Clinic states.

The condition is diagnosed through a combination of neurological exams, lab tests and diagnostic imaging (MRI or CT scans).

The most common treatment for NPH is a surgical procedure called "shunting," where a device with two tubes, called a shunt, is implanted to regulate the amount of fluid in the brain.

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"One end is placed into a pocket of cerebrospinal fluid, usually in the ventricle in the brain or a pocket of cerebrospinal fluid in the lumbar spine below the spinal cord," Matthew Potts, M.D., a Northwestern Medicine neurosurgeon, told Fox News Digital. (Potts was also not involved in Joel’s care.) 

"The other end goes somewhere else in the body that can reabsorb the fluid, usually in the abdomen."

"Shunts are more complex than just a tube — there is often a valve that regulates how much fluid can flow through it."

Some newer shunts can be programmed to change the rate of fluid flow from outside the body, Potts added.

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Symptoms typically improve within hours or days of the shunt being implanted. The surgery itself usually entails days or weeks of recovery.

Experts emphasized that timely treatment is essential to prevent severe or permanent damage to the brain from the pressure caused by the excess fluid.

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US sees cases of new COVID-19 variant linked to surge in China: report

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has detected multiple cases of the new COVID-19 variant NB.1.8.1, which has been linked to a spike in cases in China. A CDC spokesperson confirmed the findings to Fox News Digital, but said there had been too few cases for the strain to be included in the agency’s COVID Data Tracker.

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"There have been fewer than 20 sequences of NB.1.8.1 in the U.S. baseline surveillance data to date, so it has not met the threshold for inclusion in the COVID Data Tracker dashboard," a CDC spokesperson told Fox News Digital. "We monitor all SARS-CoV-2 sequences, and if it increases in proportion, it will appear on the Data Tracker dashboard."

The cases were reportedly detected through the CDC’s airport screening program, according to CBS News, though the CDC spokesperson did not confirm this to Fox News Digital.

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While the CDC has detected the new variant in the U.S., the agency also reported on May 23 that emergency room visits for influenza, COVID and RSV are currently "very low." In its two-week predictions for COVID and influenza, the CDC said it expects the number of ER visits will likely stay at the current low level.

A CDC map showing COVID-19 cases detected through wastewater (sewage) testing indicates that most states are seeing either low or very low levels of the virus. The only state experiencing a high level of viral activity, according to CDC data, is South Dakota.

The COVID-19 NB.1.8.1 variant has been linked to a high number of cases in China and Hong Kong.

Earlier this month, Hong Kong authorities issued a statement urging the public — especially high-risk individuals — to wear surgical masks. However, the statement also noted that there is no evidence NB.1.8.1 is more serious than other COVID-19 variants.

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Young police officer dies by suicide after 'debilitating' laser eye surgery complications

A young Pennsylvania man recently took his own life, months after he underwent corrective laser eye surgery. 

His parents blame their son's suicide on the "debilitating" side effects he experienced, but vision experts claim that the procedure is generally "safe and effective."

Ryan Kingerski, 26, a young officer with the Penn Hills Police Department, was "funny and witty — just a genuine person," according to Tim and Stefanie Kingerski, who spoke with Fox News Digital during an on-camera interview. (See the video at the top of the article.)

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"Ryan would always try and help in some way, even if it was a stranger," Stefanie Kingerski said. "He was just a very sincere person — he meant what he said and he said what he meant. He was passionate."

Ryan was very close with his twin brother, Jacob, as they both followed in their father’s footsteps to enter law enforcement. He enjoyed playing golf and spending time with his friends and girlfriend, his parents shared.

In August 2025, Ryan underwent LASIK eye surgery, a decision that "changed his life forever," according to the Kingerskis.

Ryan had worn glasses and contacts since middle school, but he opted for the surgery so that he wouldn’t need them anymore.

"My son was told he would go in, have the procedure and be back to work in a couple of days," said Tim Kingerski. "That never happened."

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On the way home from the surgery, Ryan said that "something wasn’t right," complaining that his right eye was blurry.

"We told him to give it some time, but it just got worse," his father said.

As the weeks progressed, Ryan suffered from a litany of symptoms, including severe headaches, double vision, starbursts, ghosting, halos and other visual disturbances. 

"It was complication after complication and no improvement," Stefanie Kingerski said. "We made continuous efforts to see different specialists, trying to get different opinions."

"They just kept saying he needed to heal."

Ryan’s mother claimed the laser surgery had left her son with "higher-order aberrations," which are distortions in the eye that cause visual disturbances. 

One corneal specialist said that Ryan had very thin corneas, which should have ruled out the surgery.

"In a nutshell, he was not a candidate, and they should have caught that and they should have warned him," his mother said.

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As the effects got worse, Ryan withdrew from the activities he once loved and became very reserved, his parents said.

In January 2025, five months after the surgery, Ryan took his own life.

"The note that we got left was: 'LASIK took everything from me. I can't take it anymore,'" Tim Kingerski said. "It ruined his life. It debilitated him."

Ryan’s parents are adamant that his suicide was not the result of preexisting mental health issues.

"If this was a mental health issue and something that my son was dealing with before, I wouldn't be talking about this," said Tim Kingerski. "But there's only one reason he's not here."

The Kingerskis have since connected with other families who have had similar experiences. "We hear from people constantly who just say, ‘I don't know if I can do this anymore. I don't know if I can take it,’" Ryan’s father said.

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Ryan's parents now aim to raise awareness and are calling for "transparency and accountability." They have also filed a complaint with the FDA.

"What we're really looking for is accountability from the industry," said Stefanie Kingerski. "We want the FDA to step up, start investigating, start looking deeper, start finding out what the long-term effects are."

"The implied consent is just a piece of paper that they give you without explaining," Tim Kingerski noted. "The consent form should say that LASIK can and has caused permanent damage that makes you want to kill yourself, because that is a fact."

"People are being hurt every day by something that is touted as safe and effective, which we can tell you it's not."

Previous suicides have been reported following laser eye surgeries. 

In 2018, Jessica Starr, a Michigan meteorologist, took her own life two months after the procedure. She had experienced chronic dry eye and blurry vision, according to local reports.

Starr left behind video journals detailing her struggles, saying she had lived "six weeks of hell."

In 2016, a Texas college student, Max Cronin, committed suicide at the age of 27. His obituary states that his death was the result of "devastating complications from an elective laser eye surgery."

Dr. James Kelly, MD, a renowned refractive surgeon specialist and comprehensive ophthalmologist in New York City, said he is not aware of peer-reviewed literature that reports higher rates of suicide in patients who have had LASIK versus the same matched population demographics that have not had the procedure.

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"The most common side effect is dry eye, for which there are many effective treatments, and the condition often improves in the several months after the procedure," he said. 

"The most important message to patients who are having eye problems is to seek the care of an experienced professional, and the same is true for anyone experiencing mental health conditions."

The Refractive Surgery Council, an organization that aims to "help people make informed decisions about their vision correction choices," spoke to Fox News Digital in defense of these procedures.

"An enormous body of scientific data supports LASIK as both safe and effective for those who are good candidates, a fact the FDA has repeatedly affirmed and validated with independent research," a spokesperson said.

For those considering a vision correction procedure, the Council recommends being "as informed as possible," which includes understanding whether they are a good candidate, choosing the right surgeon and having a thorough conversation with the care team.

"As with all surgical procedures, there is a risk of side effects and complications from LASIK," the spokesperson noted. "Clinical research finds serious sight-threatening LASIK complications occur in less than 1% of patients."

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The American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) also commented to Fox News Digital about the situation.

"While we don’t know the clinical details of Ryan’s case, we do know that the answer to the question of why a person chooses to die by suicide is complex and most often related to depression and emotional trauma," said Stephen D. McLeod, MD, CEO of the AOO.

"We have no idea what role LASIK itself might have played. Regardless, this is a tragedy, and our hearts go out to Ryan Kingerski’s family."

The Academy noted that while "most patients" are good candidates, "LASIK is not for everyone." 

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"The Academy recommends patients talk with their ophthalmologist to understand the potential risks and to ensure they are a good candidate," McLeod advised. "An ophthalmologist is the most qualified physician to advise patients on all types of refractive surgery."

Fox News Digital reached out to LASIK and to the FDA requesting comment.

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Doctors warn of 'trifecta' of chronic illnesses plaguing Americans after MAHA report

Chronic diseases have long been plaguing Americans, which HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has called an "epidemic."

The MAHA Commission, which Kennedy chairs, released a report on Thursday assessing chronic diseases, particularly pertaining to children.

An estimated 133 million Americans suffer from at least one chronic illness, according to the American Hospital Association.

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"The report shines a necessary spotlight on a crisis that has long been ignored: skyrocketing rates of obesity, diabetes, autoimmune disease, developmental issues and mental health challenges," Kelly McKenna, CEO of the coalition End Chronic Disease, who was at the White House for the release, told Fox News Digital.

"Americans are living shorter, sicker lives despite record healthcare spending that exceeds that of other developed nations by orders of magnitude," she said. "The MAHA agenda confronts that disconnect head-on."

McKenna added, "With Americans increasingly aware of the role that factors such as ultraprocessed foods, environmental toxins, stress, trauma and poor sleep play in chronic disease, the demand for action transcends partisanship."

Andy Tanner, D.O., a family medicine physician in West Virginia, said he's seeing more chronic illnesses in patients, noting that his state is the "oldest and fattest in the country." He was also at the White House on Thursday.

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"The big things we see a lot are diabetes, hypertension and obesity, kind of 'the trifecta,’" he told Fox News Digital.

Some 38.4 million Americans had diabetes in 2021, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), with excess sugar causing the common symptoms of fatigue, blurry vision, hunger and thirst.

Tanner works with his diabetic patients to change their diets and improve their blood sugar levels.

"[But the] sad thing is, we're just surrounded by bad food," he said. "It's hard to make good choices of what we eat, and we're all guilty of it."

Many people think of diabetes as being just a "sugar disease," he pointed out, but it can become a vascular issue as it progresses, often leading to coronary disease or stroke.

The doctor noted that he is seeing "younger and younger" patients with diabetes.

Over 350,000 children have been diagnosed with the disease, and its prevalence among teens is more than one in four, according to the MAHA report.

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Given its association with "bad food," diabetes goes "hand in hand" with obesity, according to Tanner.

The MAHA report linked rising obesity rates with the consumption of ultraprocessed foods — which comprise nearly 70% of American children's calorie consumption.

Tanner said obesity can lead to the diagnosis of other chronic illnesses, including hypertension (high blood pressure). 

"Sometimes people with hypertension come in and report fatigue, headaches, sometimes blurred vision, sometimes with their blood pressure very high," he told Fox News Digital. "They can have some very serious symptoms of stroke or heart attack."

Hypertension is known as the "silent killer," Tanner said, because many people don't know they have the condition.

In most cases, resolving chronic illnesses starts with getting regular physical activity and eating the right foods, Tanner said.

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"Diet and exercise are so important," he said. "Those are such easy things for physicians to prescribe, but it's much harder for patients to accomplish."

He added, "[It’s] sometimes difficult to come home and prepare a good, healthy meal, and it's easier to reach for things that are not healthy."

Psychiatrist Daniel Amen, M.D., CEO of BrainMD in Los Angeles, was also in attendance during the MAHA report announcement.

"Chronic illness devastates mental health," Amen told Fox News Digital. "It increases stress hormones that damage the brain, disrupts sleep (which turns off 700 health-promoting genes), and increases inflammation, which can lead to anxiety and depression," he cautioned.

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"If our bodies aren’t healthy, our brains will never be."

When it comes to diet, Amen suggested, "Only choose foods you love that love you back and are good for your brain."

McKenna noted that the MAHA Commission’s findings "affirm preventative solutions."

"Better nutrition, cleaner food systems, and systematic transparency — as well as innovation — are not just possible, but urgently necessary to protect the health of our children and the future of the nation," she added.

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