Research has identified a high-risk group of men who consistently avoid prostate cancer screening appointments. A study analyzing data from seven European countries found that these men face a disproportionately higher risk of dying from the disease. The analysis, presented at the European Association of Urology Congress in Madrid, included 20-year follow-up data from over 161,000 men.
According to the study, around one in six men (12,400) who were invited to screening appointments skipped every appointment. This group had a 45% higher risk of dying from prostate cancer compared to those who attended screening appointments. In contrast, men who attended screenings had a 23% lower risk of death from the disease.
The study’s lead author notes that men who avoid screening may be less likely to engage in healthy behaviors and preventative care. Researchers are now working to better understand why these men choose not to attend appointments and how to motivate them. Improving awareness and addressing inequalities in access to screening could help design population-based prostate cancer screening programs with higher rates of informed participation.
Overall, the analysis highlights the potential consequences of avoiding prostate screening and suggests that introducing national prostate cancer screening programs can lead to a 20% reduced risk of dying from prostate cancer.
Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-03-reveals-worse-outcomes-men-prostate.html