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About Me
I am a physician and behavioral scientist. My research and writing explore the quirks in human nature that influence our lives -- the mixture of rational and irrational forces that affect our health, our happiness, and the way our society functions. (more...)- Have a question or just want to get in touch? Email me at peter.ubel@duke.edu
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Tag Archives: prostate cancer
Don’t Let Your Physician Tell You What To Do Without Finding Out Your Goals
A recent study of men with early-stage prostate cancer found no difference in 10-year death rates, regardless of whether their doctors actively monitored the cancers for signs of growth or eradicated the men’s cancers with surgery or radiation. What does … Continue reading
Out of Control Physicians: Too Many Doctors Doing Too Many Things to Too Many Patients
My father is 92 years old, and I am beginning to wonder whether the best thing for his health would be to stay away from doctors. That’s because well intentioned physicians often expose their elderly patients to harmful and unnecessary … Continue reading
Doctors Can’t Be Trusted to Tell Patients Whether They Should Receive Robotic Surgery
Patients often rely on physicians for information about their treatment alternatives. Unfortunately, that information is not always objective. Consider a man with early stage prostate cancer interested in surgical removal of his tumor, but uncertain whether it is better for … Continue reading
Which Cancers Do We Spend Most of Our Money On?
There has been lots written lately about the soaring cost of cancer care. You’re spending a lot on cancer recently in part because of many wonderful new treatments that come with a substantial price tag. But there has been less … Continue reading
Posted in Uncategorized
Tagged breast cancer, cancer, healthcare costs, prostate cancer
You Thought Innovation Was Hard, How about De-Innovation?
David Asch and I recently published an article in Health Affairs on the challenge of getting healthcare practitioners to stop doing things they are accustomed to doing, even when the evidence that those things are harmful becomes overwhelming. Here is … Continue reading
Posted in Health Policy, Medical Decision Making
Tagged breast cancer, cancer, de-innovation, healthcare costs, prostate cancer
What Mammograms Teach Us About Wildfires, Floods, and Tornadoes
In the wake of the horrific floods that struck Colorado recently, many people have debated whether global warming is to blame. The same goes for wildfires that hit that state this summer and for the massive tornado that struck in … Continue reading
Posted in Medical Decision Making
Tagged breast cancer, cancer, cancer screening, global warming, prostate cancer
Is There a Smart Way to Use the New Oncotype Prostate Cancer Test?
On May 8th, the makers of the oncotype DX Prostate Cancer Test presented results of a large study demonstrating that their test can help men decide whether their prostate cancer carries a low enough risk of progression to forgo surgical or … Continue reading
Posted in Medical Decision Making
Tagged cancer, cancer screening, medical decision making, prostate cancer