Prostate cancer screening: contrasting trends

Our previously published data showed rapidly increasing rates of prostate cancer screening in men aged 50-74, which rose from 36% in 2005 to 48% in 2008. Based on men's reported intentions at that time, this was expected to rise to 70% in 2011. Here we report the actual rate of prostate cancer screening.

Three nationwide observational telephone surveys (EDIFICE opinion polls) were conducted in 2005, 2008, and 2011. The overall target was a representative sample of > 1,500 individuals living in France and aged 40-75 years, including 481 men aged 50-74 years.

Within this male population, the rate of screening reported remained stable between 2008 and 2011 (48 and 49%, respectively). However, comparison of privileged versus disadvantaged populations showed significant differences, with a relative decrease in screening among those of higher socioprofessional status (p = 0.03) and from higher-income groups (p = 0.02). For households with a monthly income above 2,500€, the screening rate decreased from 61% in 2008 to 51% in 2011 (p = 0.05), while for those with an income below 2,500€, it increased from 36% in 2008 to 44 % in 2011 (p = 0.18).

A plateau or even a reduction in prostate cancer screening is currently being observed; this is possibly due to progressive recognition among the population at large of the controversy surrounding prostate cancer screening, whereas this speculation was formerly limited to health-care professionals. After previously being more likely to undergo prostate cancer screening, it is the younger, wealthier populations that are currently showing the most noteworthy step backwards.