The current and potential status of screening for prostatic cancer in asymptomatic populations

The recent development of transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) compared to digital rectal exam (DRE), and associated with the introduction of a new marker, prostatic specific antigen (PSA), is presented and reviewed. Two recent studies of self-referred men not known to be at risk for prostatic cancer are reported, and the encouraging results described. The 10-center National Prostate Cancer Detection Project formed in 1986 is updated. Obviously, more studies of such a nature are needed and should be encouraged to develop further the potential for meaningful earlier detection and management of prostatic cancer in the world's aging male population with a rising prostatic cancer incidence rate.