Overview
- The ERSPC randomized study of about 162,000 men across eight European countries reports a 13% relative reduction in prostate cancer mortality after long-term, repeated PSA testing.
- Inviting 456 men to screening prevented one prostate cancer death, and diagnosing 12 prevented one death, with an absolute risk reduction of about 0.22% over 23 years.
- Screening increased diagnoses by roughly 30%, particularly of low‑risk tumors, and only about one in four biopsies after a raised PSA confirmed cancer, underscoring risks of overdiagnosis and overtreatment.
- Experts say MRI-first pathways, targeted biopsies, active surveillance, and improved surgery and radiotherapy can reduce unnecessary procedures and treatment-related harms.
- The UK National Screening Committee is assessing the new evidence with a decision expected soon, as charities and politicians advocate a targeted programme and Cancer Research UK urges waiting for the committee’s advice.