Purpose
To analyze results from 22 years of follow-up in the Göteborg randomized prostate cancer (PC) screening trial.
Material and Methods
In December 1994, 20,000 men born 1930-1944 were randomly extracted from the Swedish population register and were randomized (1:1) into either a screening group (SG) or to a control group (CG). Men in the SG were repeatedly invited for biennial PSA testing up to an average age of 69 years. Main endpoints were PC incidence and mortality (intention-to-screen principle).
Results
After 22 years, 1,528 men in the SG and 1,124 men in the CG had been diagnosed with PC. In total, 112 PC deaths occurred in the SG and 158 in the CG. Compared with the CG, the SG showed a PC incidence rate ratio (RR) of 1.42 (95% CI, 1.31–1.53) and a PC mortality RR of 0.71 (95% CI, 0.55–0.91). The 22-year cumulative PC mortality rate was 1.55% (95% CI, 1.29-1.86) in the SG and 2.13% (95% CI, 1.83-2.49) in the CG. Correction for non-attendance (Cuzick method) yielded a RR of PC mortality of 0.59 (95% CI, 0.43–0.80). NNI and NND was estimated to 221 and 9 respectively. PC death risk was increased in the following groups: non-testing men, men entering the program after age 60, and men with >10 years of follow-up after screening termination.
Conclusions
PSA-based screening substantially decreases PC mortality. However, not attending, starting after age 60, and stopping already at age 70 seems to be major pitfalls regarding PC death risk.