The European Randomized Study of Screening for Prostate Cancer: an update

Abstract

Background: A consensus meeting on screening and global strategy for prostate carcinoma, held in Antwerp in 1994, determined the willingness among European cancer prevention centers to pursue vigorously the collaborative formation of a multinational randomized screening trial. This trial was to be named the European Randomized Study of Screening for Prostate Cancer (ERSPC).

Methods: During the years prior to that meeting, several feasibility trials were conducted in Antwerp and Rotterdam to evaluate the pitfalls and problems of a randomized procedure for population screening. Today, five centers in five European countries share their study work and results via the ERSPC, and others are lining up to join this massive effort. Regular meetings and specific work groups enable the research centers to compare their data, because the trial methodology differs slightly from one center to another.

Results: However, a common work strategy and analysis of the data has recently been reached, and the first study results of the trial (evaluating 180,000 men over a 10-year screening period) are expected by the year 2007.

Conclusions: A randomized trial of prostate carcinoma screening is set up in Europe currently with five participating centers from five countries. First overall effect results of regular screening are expected after a 10-year period of follow-up.