Table 1.
Most recent results from three randomized, controlled trials investigating PSA screening
| PLCO (2017 update)15 | ERSPC (2014 update)16 | Goteborg (2014 update)17 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| n | 76 683 | 162 243 | 20 000 |
|
| |||
| Age | 55–74 | 55–69 | 50–64 |
|
| |||
| Site | 10 US centers | 8 European countries | 1 city (Goteborg, Sweden) |
|
| |||
| Intervention | PSA annually × 6 years annual DRE × 4 years | PSA q4 years (in most centers) Some centers offered DRE | PSA q2 years |
|
| |||
| Current median followup | 15 years | 13 years | 18 years |
|
| |||
| Definition of positive test | PSA >4 ng/ml Abnormal DRE | PSA>3 ng/ml (most centers) | PSA >2.5 ng/ml (from 2005 on) PSA >2.9 ng/ml (from 1999–2004) PSA>3.4 ng/ml (from 1995–98) |
|
| |||
| Prostate cancer deaths | Control: 244 Screened: 255 |
Control: 545 Screened: 355 |
Control: 122 Screened: 79 |
|
| |||
| Rate ratio for CSS (95% CI) | 1.04 (0.87–1.24) | 0.79 (0.69–0.91) 21% relative risk reduction in favor of screening |
0.58 (0.46–0.72) 42% relative risk reduction in favor of screening |
|
| |||
| NNS | N/A | 1:781 | 1:139 |
| NND | N/A | 1:27 | 1:13 |
CSS: Prostate cancer-specific survival; DRE: digital rectal exam; ERSPC: European Randomized Study of Screening for Prostate Cancer; NNS: number needed to screen; NND: number needed to diagnose; PLCO: Prostate, Lung, Colon, and Ovarian screening trial; PSA: prostate-specific antigen.