There are calls for a national screening programme for prostate cancer: what is the evidence to justify such a national screening programme?

2013 
IntroductionProstate 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.ObjectiveTo 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.MethodsElectronic databases and library catalogues were searched electronically and manual retrieval was performed. Only primary research results were used for the analysis.ResultsIn 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 overtreatmen...
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