The president's diagnosis: Using public figures to enhance awareness

Former President Joseph R. Biden

Former President Joe Biden was recently diagnosed with prostate cancer. This is an opportunity to share this information with the public to enhance their awareness of a common medical condition that affects millions of American men. The health experiences of public figures can serve as powerful educational tools. Still, it's necessary to approach these situations with sensitivity and respect for privacy. This blog will offer suggestions for physicians to ethically and effectively use such cases to educate the public.

Focus on prevention and awareness: Utilizing cases of public figures' health conditions can help raise awareness about specific diseases, their symptoms, and the importance of early detection and prevention. By discussing public figures' experiences, physicians can emphasize the need for regular check-ups and healthy lifestyle choices.

For example, the controversy over PSA screening has led to confusion among patients. The United States Preventive Services Task Force publicly declared that testing for prostate cancer in men older than 70 years was no longer necessary. However, the American Cancer Society suggests that older men with a life expectancy greater than 10 years should be screened annually with a PSA test. The position that these two credible organizations recommend on screening for prostate cancer with the PSA blood test has left older men in a conundrum. Thus, the physician must discuss omitting or proceeding with a PSA blood test with each man. The discussion can be assisted by offering educational material for men. This educational material can be shared with all male patients. The material can be available as a handout in the office setting, posted on the website, or included in a blog or a YouTube video. The doctor can use the president's diagnosis as an opportunity to approach local health and science reporters to enhance awareness. The take-home message is that physicians can use public figures' healthcare experiences to increase awareness and serve as an educational opportunity to inform the public.

Provide accurate and credible information: Doctors should ensure that any information shared about a public figure's health condition is accurate, evidence-based, and comes from reliable sources. The condition's prevalence and available treatment options should also be mentioned.

For example, A blog post titled "The Secret Cure for Cancer That Doctors Don't Want You to Know" claims that a specific herbal supplement can cure all types of cancer without any scientific evidence, clinical trials, or endorsements from reputable medical organizations.

The National Cancer Institute (NCI) is a reputable and trustworthy source that provides evidence-based information about cancer treatment options, ongoing research, and credible patient resources. The NCI's website (cancer.gov) offers comprehensive information on various types of cancer, including prevention, diagnosis, and treatment, as well as support services for those affected by cancer.

It is our responsibility to critically evaluate sources for patients seeking healthcare information. You might mention to patients that websites with a .gov or .edu domain, or those associated with reputable medical organizations (e.g., Mayo Clinic, Johns Hopkins, Sloan Kettering Cancer Center), research institutions, or peer-reviewed journals, are generally considered more reliable than personal blogs, forums, or social media posts.

Avoid stigmatization: When discussing the health of public figures, it's crucial to avoid perpetuating stigmas associated with certain conditions. Instead, healthcare professionals should promote understanding, empathy, and support for individuals facing health challenges.

A good example is Simone Biles, who dropped out of the Tokyo Olympics in 2020. Biles publicly described her experience with "the twisties". The twisties are a psychological phenomenon in which a gymnast experiences a disconnect between their mind and body while performing complex skills, potentially leading to injury. By discussing Biles' experience openly and honestly, the public learned more about elite athletes' challenges and the importance of prioritizing mental health over Olympic medals. By discussing Biles' experience openly and honestly, the public learned more about the challenges that elite athletes face and the importance of prioritizing mental health.

The Biles' experience and her candor and transparency demonstrate how healthcare professionals and the media can use this information to help others who are experiencing stress, anxiety, and difficulty dealing with a mental health issue.

Rather than criticizing Biles for withdrawing from the competition, healthcare experts explained the twisties. They emphasized the potential dangers of the condition. By acknowledging that even elite athletes like Biles can face mental health challenges, the conversation helped to destigmatize these issues and encouraged others to seek help.

Many physicians and healthcare professionals expressed support and understanding for Biles' decision to prioritize her well-being, highlighting the importance of self-care and mental health in competitive sports.

Collaboration with public figures. Healthcare professionals can collaborate with public figures to create educational campaigns that share their experiences. This approach can amplify the message and have a more significant impact on public awareness and understanding. Engaging a public figure who becomes a spokesperson for the medical condition may be possible.

A prime example of a professional athlete becoming a spokesperson for a medical issue is former NBA player Magic Johnson's advocacy for HIV/AIDS awareness. After being diagnosed with HIV in 1991, Johnson publicly disclosed his status and retired from basketball. Instead of hiding his condition, Johnson used his platform to educate the public about HIV/AIDS, helping to destigmatize the disease and promote safe sex practices.

He established the Magic Johnson Foundation, which focused on HIV/AIDS education, prevention, and community empowerment. Johnson also partnered with various organizations and pharmaceutical companies to raise awareness and support research efforts.

By sharing his personal experience and advocating for increased understanding of HIV/AIDS, Magic Johnson became a prominent spokesperson for the medical issue, inspiring others to get tested, seek treatment, and support those affected by the disease. Magic Johnson created a magical example of taking a complex problem and sharing his experience, raising awareness of treating HIV/AIDS.

Bottom Line: Multiple instances of public figures sharing their experiences and helping to raise awareness of medical conditions exist. Physicians must be proactive and use public figures' revelations to enhance education for others who may be suffering and unaware that help is available. I believe former President Joe Biden would not be disappointed if he realized that his journey with cancer was helpful to others.

Neil Baum, MD, a Professor of Clinical Urology at Tulane University in New Orleans, LA. Dr. Baum is the author of several books, including the best-selling book, Marketing Your Medical Practice-Ethically, Effectively, and Economically, which has sold over 225,000 copies and has been translated into Spanish.