Screening for prostatic carcinoma--useful or not?

Screening of asymptomatic males for prostatic cancer by any means has not shown to date any benefit. There is a need to evaluate prostatic ultrasound with new equipment combining transaxial and sagittal rectal ultrasound with some markers and rectal exam in asymptomatic men between the ages of 55-70, with appropriate biopsy based on suspicious findings. Such a multicenter study has been organized in the United States. Based on such limited studies, results can be evaluated in 5 years--and then the true place of screening for prostatic cancer tested if such pilot detection projects suggest sufficient merit.