Pro and con for systematic screening for prostate cancer in Denmark - a review article

Abstract

Systematic PSA-based screening for prostate cancer remains controversial due to the trade-off between reduced mortality and risk of overdiagnosis and overtreatment. Adding new tools like magnetic-resonance-imaging-targeted biopsies and genetic markers may limit the harms, but we lack definitive mortality data. While opportunistic PSA testing is widely used in Denmark, unsystematic use may potentially be harmful. Introduction of a systematic screening programme in Denmark requires careful consideration of the clinical, psychological, societal and economic impacts, and Danish politicians should thus engage in the debate to clarify these issues.