[Mass screening for prostate cancer at a local town--five-year results and screening system]

The results of a mass screening examination for prostate cancer conducted from 1989 to 1993 at a local town, Kawagoe-cho, in Mie Prefecture were evaluated. Among the 216 examinees, 4 were found to have prostate cancer. The most accurate examination was the prostate specific antigen (PSA), which was followed by digital examination and transrectal ultrasound. The applicants for the prostate cancer screening accounted for only 8% of the Kawagoe-cho male residents over 40 years old. An educational campaign of prostate disease in the area must be started to increase the number of applicants. We concluded that the most effective modality for the screening program was a combination of PSA and digital examination in the field study, and transrectal ultrasound accompanied by systemic biopsy results in the second tool for screening.