Researchers are warning that men who regularly miss prostate cancer screening appointments face a significantly higher risk of dying from the disease.
According to a new study, those who dodge screenings are 45% more likely to succumb to prostate cancer, writes The Post.
Prostate cancer is the most common cancer among men and the second-leading cause of cancer-related deaths, according to UC San Francisco (UCSF). However, experts believe that implementing national screening programs—especially those that measure prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels in the blood—could allow for earlier detection and better treatment outcomes.
The European Randomised Study of Screening for Prostate Cancer (ERSPC), which spans seven European countries, has shown that PSA screening can reduce the risk of dying from prostate cancer by 20%. The study has been cited as one of the largest prostate cancer screening studies in the world.
The latest findings, based on a 20-year follow-up of over 72,000 men, reveal a concerning link between the consistent avoidance of screening invitations and a higher risk of death. Researchers from the Erasmus MC Cancer Institute in the Netherlands found that men who skipped every screening appointment had a 45% higher chance of dying from prostate cancer compared to those who attended their appointments.
The study also found that men who attended screenings had a 23% lower risk of death compared to those who were never invited for screening. In stark contrast, men who missed all screenings faced a 39% higher risk of death compared to men who never received an invitation.
Lead study author Dr. Renée Leenen explained that men who avoid screenings may be less likely to engage in general preventive healthcare. She noted that such individuals often have a “care-avoidant” attitude, making them less inclined to take part in healthy behaviors or seek medical care.
“Men who opt out of screening are at a significantly higher risk of dying from prostate cancer compared to men who were offered screenings or those who accepted the invitation,” Dr. Leenen said.
The researchers stress the need for better understanding of why some men choose not to attend screening appointments and how to encourage participation. Dr. Leenen emphasized that improving attendance rates could be a key factor in the success of national prostate cancer screening programs, ultimately saving lives.
