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MADRID – A landmark 20-year study has revealed that men who consistently avoid prostate cancer screenings face a significantly higher risk of death from the disease. The research, presented at the European Association of Urology (EAU) Congress in Madrid, underscores the critical importance of participation in national screening programs.
The study, a sub-analysis of the European Randomized Study of Screening for Prostate Cancer (ERSPC), the world’s largest prostate cancer screening study, examined data from over 72,000 men across seven countries. Researchers found that men who repeatedly declined screening invitations had a 45% higher mortality rate from prostate cancer compared to those who attended screenings.
Prostate cancer is a growing global health concern, being the most common cancer among men in 112 countries, with prevalence expected to double by 2040. National screening programs, which measure prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels in the blood, offer the potential for earlier detection and improved treatment outcomes.
The ERSPC data has consistently shown that PSA screening can reduce the risk of death from prostate cancer. However, this new sub-analysis focused specifically on the impact of repeatedly skipping screenings. Led by experts from the Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, University Medical Center Rotterdam, the Netherlands, the study identified a high-risk group among screening avoiders.
“Our study identifies that men who were invited for screening, but do not attend screening appointments are at significantly higher risk of dying from prostate cancer compared to men who were not offered screening or accepted an invitation for screening,” said Renée Leenen MD, PhD researcher and lead author of the study.
Researchers suggest that a complex mix of factors may contribute to screening avoidance, including a general tendency to avoid healthcare and preventative measures. “It may be that men who opted not to attend a screening appointment are care avoiders, meaning they’re less likely to engage in healthy behaviors and preventative care in general,” Leenen explained.
The study also found that men who attended screenings had a 23% lower risk of death from prostate cancer compared to those who were never invited for screening. Conversely, non-attenders faced a 39% higher risk of death when compared to the control group.
The findings highlight the urgent need to understand why some men avoid screenings and to develop strategies to encourage participation. The EAU-led PRAISE-U project aims to align approaches to patient-tailored, risk-based screening programs across Europe.
“For countries around Europe that are planning to introduce a national prostate screening program, this analysis focusing on attendance shows that men who participate in screening have a much-improved long-term benefit than what we’ve seen from previous studies,” said Dr. Tobias Nordström, Clinical Urologist at the Karolinska Institute in Sweden.
The full results of the sub-analysis are expected to be published later this year.
“Prostate cancer mortality in men not attending a population-based screening program: the ‘good’, the ‘bad’, and the ‘ugly’ after 20-year follow-up in the European Randomized study of Screening for Prostate Cancer” by Renée C.A. Leenen, Esmée Mulder, Sebastiaan Remmers et al is presented at EAU25 on Saturday, March 22, 2025.
Disclaimer: This news article is based on information presented at a medical conference and should not be taken as medical advice. Readers are advised to consult with their healthcare providers for personalized medical guidance and information regarding prostate cancer screening. The findings presented are preliminary and subject to peer review and further publication.(https://scitechdaily.com/men-who-skip-prostate-screenings-face-a-45-higher-risk-of-death/)
