INTRODUCTION: Prostate cancer is the commonest cancer in men and a major health issue worldwide.
Screening for early disease has been available for many years, but there is still no national screening programme established in the United Kingdom.
OBJECTIVE: To assess the latest evidence regarding prostate cancer screening and whether it meets the necessary requirements to be established as a national programme for all men.
METHODS: Electronic databases and library catalogues were searched electronically and manual retrieval was performed. Only primary research results were used for the analysis.
RESULTS: In recent years, several important randomised controlled trials have produced varied outcomes. In Europe the largest study thus far concluded that screening reduced prostate cancer mortality by 20%. On the contrary, a large American trial found no reduction in mortality after 7-10 years follow-up. Most studies comment on the adverse effects of screening - principally those of overdiagnosis and subsequent overtreatment.
DISCUSSION: Further information about the natural history of prostate cancer and accuracy of screening is needed before a screening programme can be truly justified. In the interim, doctors and patients should discuss the risks, benefits and sequelae of taking part in voluntary screening for prostate cancer.
Written by:
Green A, Tait C, Aboumarzouk O, Somani B, Cohen N. Are you the author?
School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Aberdeen, UK.
Reference: Scott Med J. 2013 May;58(2):64-8.
doi: 10.1177/0036933013482631
PubMed Abstract
PMID: 23728749
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