Men Who Skip Prostate Cancer Screenings Face 45% Higher Risk of Death, Study Shows

Men who skip prostate cancer screenings face a 45% higher risk of death, highlighting the need to improve screening attendance.

According to a new analysis from the European Randomized Study of Screening for Prostate Cancer (ERSPC), men who consistently avoid prostate cancer screening appointments face a significantly higher risk of dying from the disease. The findings were presented at the European Association of Urology (EAU) Congress.Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men across 112 countries, with global prevalence expected to double by 2040. PSA (prostate-specific antigen) screening can improve early detection and reduce mortality, but the study highlighted that men who repeatedly skip screening face grave consequences.

The sub-analysis of 20-year follow-up data from the ERSPC, involving 72,460 men, showed that approximately 12,400 men—one in six—consistently missed all screening appointments. These non-attenders had a 45% higher risk of dying from prostate cancer compared to those who attended screenings. Moreover, when compared to a control group who were never invited for screening, men who attended had a 23% lower risk of death, while non-attenders faced a 39% higher risk.

The findings underscored the need for population-based screening programs to address attendance rates and motivate high-risk groups to participate. Experts emphasized that understanding why some men choose to forgo screening is crucial for the long-term success of national prostate screening initiatives.

(Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-03-reveals-worse-outcomes-men-prostate.html )