[Prostate cancer screening in France: Results from the EDIFICE surveys]

Prostate cancer (PCa) is the most common cancer amongst men in 2018 in Europe. The issue of PCa screening in the general population has been debated following the publication of international European (ERSPC) and North American (PLCO) studies. There is currently no organised PCa screening. The objective of this analysis was to evaluate the practice of PCa screening in the French population with no history of cancer between 2005 and 2016.

Since 2005, the EDIFICE surveys have focused on the knowledge and behaviour of French people with regard to cancer screening. The practice of screening was evaluated according to the answer to the question: "Have you ever done PCa screening?" Responses were analysed according to age, socio-professional category and level of social precariousness.

After a strong increase between 2005 and 2008 (from 36% to 49%, P≤0.01), a significant decrease in the reported PCa screening rate was observed between 2014 (49%) and 2016 (42%; P=0.02). This decrease was mainly reflected in the socially advantaged categories and in the youngest age group (50-54 years). Screening practices remain the same in older men.

The perception of the effectiveness of PCa screening could explain the changes of behavior in the French population. This decrease in participation in PCa screening requires monitoring to avoid a general loss of confidence in cancer screening.

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