Thousands of deaths could be prevented with prostate cancer screening, trial finds
Trial found to reduce prostate cancer deaths
- A major European trial indicates that widespread prostate cancer screening for men over 50 could save thousands of lives in Britain.
- The 23-year study, involving 162,000 men, found that one prostate cancer death was prevented for every 456 men screened.
- Researchers suggest a targeted screening approach to reduce deaths and mitigate issues of overdiagnosis, noting a more favourable harm-to-benefit profile than previously estimated.
- Experts highlight that the findings are comparable to the effectiveness of breast or bowel cancer screening, with modern technology potentially reducing harms like overtreatment.
- UK cancer screening experts are currently assessing whether to introduce a national prostate cancer screening programme, with a decision expected by the end of the year.