Reconciling the Two Large Prostate Cancer Screening Trials

Researchers propose that the negative U.S. randomized trial actually supports screening — but that shouldn't change the debate about the merits of screening.

The two recent large randomized prostate-specific antigen (PSA) screening trials reached discordant conclusions. After more than a decade of follow-up in a European trial, roughly 1 fewer prostate cancer death occurred per 1000 men screened, but many men were treated to prevent 1 death, and the trial had limitations that could have biased the result in either direction. In contrast, a U.S. trial showed no benefit from PSA screening, but the control group was “contaminated” by screening outside the trial (NEJM JW Gen Med Apr 15 2009 and N Engl J Med 2009; 360:1310 and 1320; NEJM JW Gen Med Sep 15 2014 and Lancet 2014; 384:2027).

Now, a research group has reanalyzed data from both trials using complex statistical techniques. They found that lo…

Reviewing Author

Allan S. Brett, MD

Disclosures

Nothing to disclose

Allan S. Brett, MD

Disclosures

Nothing to disclose

Reconciling the Two Large Prostate Cancer Screening Trials

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Reviewing Author