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Updated: Aug 25, 2026
A New Technique for Treating Low-risk Prostate Cancer—Super Active Surveillance
Published on: November 7, 2025
Adherence to an annual PSA screening program over 3 years for brothers and sons of men with prostate cancer
Xavier Roumier1, Rahmene Azzouzi, Antoine Valéri
1Departement of Urology, Teaching Hospital of Lyon Sud, Pierre Benite, France.
Objective:
To assess the adherence to an annual PSA screening program conducted over 3 years in first-degree relatives of a sample of men with prostate cancer, and to identify characteristics of men who failed to undergo the full screening process.
Patients And Methods:
Out of 747 candidates that were eligible for the screening program (asymptomatic brothers and sons aged between 40 and 70 years of men diagnosed with prostate cancer) 640 were contacted. The screening program entailed annual serum PSA testing over a 3-year period, during which every candidates attendance was recorded. At the outset, each candidate was requested to complete a questionnaire regarding their socio-professional characteristics, their level of anxiety and their attitude towards genetic susceptibility.
Results:
442 (69%) candidates agreed to enter the study and 420 filled out the questionnaire. During the 3-year period, 50 candidates (12%) who had accepted the first year screening refused to undergo subsequent PSA tests. These men were younger ( p=0.015), more anxious (p=0.037 ) and to have more than one affected first-degree relative ( p=0.028 ).
Conclusions:
The crucial and challenging step in the adherence to a screening program was the initial recruitment. Once recruited, adherence rate after 3 years was very high (88%). Identifying factors that help predict men who might leave the screening process may provide us means of improving their compliance in the future.
Insights
Adherence to a 3-year prostate cancer screening program was high (88%) after initial recruitment. Younger, more anxious men with multiple affected relatives were more likely to drop out of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) testing.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Genetics
- Preventive Medicine
Background:
- Prostate cancer screening in high-risk individuals is crucial for early detection.
- First-degree relatives of prostate cancer patients have an increased risk.
- Understanding adherence factors is key to optimizing screening programs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate adherence to a 3-year annual prostate-specific antigen (PSA) screening program.
- To identify characteristics of individuals who did not complete the full screening protocol.
Main Methods:
- A 3-year annual serum PSA testing program was offered to 747 eligible first-degree relatives (40-70 years).
- 640 individuals were contacted, 442 enrolled, and 420 completed baseline questionnaires on demographics, anxiety, and genetic susceptibility.
- Attendance for annual PSA tests was recorded over the 3-year period.
Main Results:
- Overall adherence after 3 years was 88%.
- 50 participants (12%) discontinued screening after the first year.
- Men who dropped out were younger, reported higher anxiety levels, and had more affected first-degree relatives.
Conclusions:
- Initial recruitment is the most challenging aspect of screening program adherence.
- High adherence rates (88%) were observed among participants who completed the initial recruitment.
- Identifying predictors of dropout can inform strategies to improve long-term compliance in prostate cancer screening.
