Prostate Cancer Risk Jumps 45% for Men Who Skip Screening
Sarah Johnson
March 24, 2025
Brief
Men who skip prostate cancer screenings face a 45% higher death risk. Regular PSA testing significantly lowers mortality, highlighting the urgent need for improved screening participation.
Men who routinely avoid prostate cancer screenings are facing a startling statistic: a 45% higher risk of dying from the disease. Researchers from UC San Francisco (UCSF) highlight prostate cancer as the most common cancer among men and the second-leading cause of cancer-related deaths. Sobering, isn’t it?
Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood tests, when implemented on a national level, could drastically improve early detection rates and treatment opportunities. A study conducted by the European Randomised Study of Screening for Prostate Cancer (ERSPC), the largest prostate cancer screening study globally, revealed that consistent PSA screening could reduce the risk of dying from prostate cancer by 20%. That’s a game-changer in cancer prevention.
Researchers have analyzed two decades of follow-up data from ERSPC, focusing on the link between screening invitations and mortality rates. Of the 72,460 men invited, a concerning one in six skipped every screening appointment, putting themselves at a 45% higher risk of death compared to attendees. It’s like getting handed a lifeboat but refusing to climb in.
Even when compared to a control group who were never invited for screenings, men who attended had a 23% lower risk of dying from prostate cancer, while non-attenders faced a 39% higher risk.
Lead study author Dr. Renée Leenen of Erasmus MC Cancer Institute in the Netherlands noted that screening avoidance might stem from broader care-avoidant behaviors. In her words, "Men who opted not to attend screenings may be less likely to engage in healthy behaviors and preventative care." She emphasized the importance of understanding these decisions to improve participation rates in future screening programs.
Dr. Leenen and other experts believe that tackling low attendance rates could significantly increase the success of national prostate cancer screening initiatives. Urologist Dr. Tobias Nordström from the Karolinska Institute in Sweden echoed the sentiment, saying that understanding motivations behind screening avoidance is key to preventing worse outcomes.
Meanwhile, Fox News’ senior medical analyst Dr. Marc Siegel, who wasn’t involved in the study, underscored the importance of regular screenings to ensure early diagnosis and better treatment outcomes.
The findings will be presented at the European Association of Urology (EAU) Congress in Madrid, Spain this weekend, marking yet another step in the effort to combat prostate cancer deaths. If this doesn’t convince men to take their health seriously, what will?
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Editor's Comments
Skipping health screenings seems like playing roulette with your own life. It’s baffling how some men will dodge appointments, despite knowing the risks. Maybe the real challenge isn’t the test itself but convincing people that taking care of their health is worth the effort. Men, PSA screenings take minutes – your life could depend on it.
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