Population screening for prostate cancer: more risks than benefits

Abstract

Recently, numerous national campaigns promoted by hospitals, medical societies and other organizations have stimulated prostate cancer screening, in line with worldwide initiatives known as Blue November. These campaigns advise the use of rectal examination accompanied by dosage of serum prostate specific antigen (PSA) levels in defined age groups. The motivation would be the early detection of neoplasia, with reduction of mortality and complications and impacts associated with its treatment. The PSA dosage for screening purposes is highly controversial, since most of such tumors detected by screening are of slow progression and would not interfere with patient survival or quality of life. Population-based screening for prostate cancer is not recommended by numerous foreign institutions, including the National Cancer Institute in Brazil. The article discusses the risks and benefits associated with this type of strategy and reinforces concern about the inappropriate and indiscriminate use of screening for prostate cancer.

Keywords:
prostatic neoplasm; mass screening; prostate-specific antigen; overdiagnosis