[Screening for prostate cancer in Yahata, Kitakyushu]

A remarkable increase has occurred in the incidence of prostate cancer in many countries including Japan. For early detection of prostate cancer, mass screening was initiated in many areas in Japan. We began screening for prostate cancer in 1993 in the Yahata area. Prior to 1996, prostate cancer screening consisted of interview, digital rectal examination, measurement of prostate specific antigen and transrectal ultrasonography. Since 1997, only an interview and PSA measurement has been performed. This screening program is provided free of charge. The men who had abnormal findings on the first screening were advised to visit an urologist for further examination. Over a period of 10 years, we detected prostate cancer in 6 out of 903 men (0.64%). Of those 6 patients, 5 had early localized cancer. In conclusion, we feel it is necessary to increase the number of subjects and visiting rate to an urologist, and to determine the diagnostic strategies including prostate biopsy on the second screening. In addition, the effectiveness of screening should be elucidated.