Population-based screening for prostate cancer: the clinical conundrum

Prostate cancer is a leading disease affecting men worldwide. Screening for prostate cancer can be achieved using the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test or via digital rectal examination (DRE). When employed as screening tools, both tests have the potential to identify prostate cancer at an early stage and increase patient survival. For the benefits of screening practices to be unambiguous, a clear and reliable body of evidence must demonstrate an increased survival rate in populations offered screening. This article reviews the current evidence on prostate cancer screening and provides an overview of the challenges facing the implementation of population-based screening for prostate cancer.