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

AU - Standaert B; Denis L
SO - Cancer 1997;80(9):1830-4
AD - Oncology Centre Antwerp, A.Z. Middelheim, Antwerp, Belgium.
AB - 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.