In a preselected core group of men aged 55–69 years, there were significantly more prostate-cancer deaths in the control group (326 vs. 214; odds ratio 0.80). In the intent-to-screen analysis, which included all subjects, the absolute difference between the screening and control groups was 0.71 deaths per 1,000 men, yielding 1,410 screenings and 48 cancers to prevent one prostate cancer death.
The study did not report data on cost effectiveness, adverse treatment effects or quality of life issues. “The ratio of benefits to risks that is achievable with more frequent screening or a lower PSA threshold than we used remains unknown,” the authors wrote.
More than 1,400 men would need to be screened and 48 additional cancers treated to save one life. DR. SCHRODER