Men who skip regular prostate screenings are significantly more likely to die from cancer, according to a major European study spanning two decades.
The research, based on data from the European Randomised Study of Screening for Prostate Cancer (ERSPC), was presented at the European Association of Urology Congress in Madrid. It found that avoiding prostate-specific antigen (PSA) testing could increase the risk of death from prostate cancer by up to 45%.
Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among men in 112 countries worldwide. Experts warn that global cases are expected to double by 2040. Early detection through PSA blood testing plays a key role in identifying the disease at a treatable stage, improving survival rates, and reducing the need for major surgical interventions.
The study tracked more than 72,000 men across seven European countries. Findings revealed that approximately 12,000 of them—around one in six—had not undergone prostate screening. This group faced a 45% higher risk of dying from prostate cancer compared to those who had regular screenings.
Lead researcher Dr René Liénan, from Erasmus University’s Cancer Research Institute in the Netherlands, noted that men who neglect prostate screenings may also be less likely to engage in other preventive healthcare behaviours. “These individuals tend to avoid medical check-ups and often do not participate in healthy lifestyle practices,” he explained.
Dr Tobias Nordström, a urology specialist at the Karolinska Institute in Sweden, highlighted the broader implications of the findings. “This study reinforces that prostate screenings are even more important than we previously thought,” he said. “We need to understand why some men are opting out of these tests and how this decision affects their outcomes when cancer is eventually diagnosed.”
