Optimal screening interval for men with low baseline prostate-specific antigen levels (≤1.0 ng/mL) in a prostate cancer screening program

Abstract

Our study demonstrated that men with baseline PSA levels of 0.0-0.6 ng/mL might benefit from longer screening intervals than those recommended in the guidelines of the Japanese Urological Association. Further investigation is needed to confirm the optimal screening interval for men with low baseline PSA levels.

Editorial Comment to Predictive value of different prostate‐specific antigen‐based markers in men with baseline total prostate‐specific antigen <2.0 ng/mL

“…In the previous study using our population‐based screening cohort, we showed that all cancer cases with unfavorable clinicopathological features were diagnosed at least 3 years after the initial screening visit in men with baseline PSA levels of 0.0–1.0 ng/mL, and there was a risk of developing cancer with unfavorable features within 1 year after the initial screening visit in men with baseline PSA of 1.1–2.0 ng/mL, which supported the recommendation of the Japanese Urological Association guidelines . However, novel findings in our closer study of men with baseline PSA levels of 0.0–1.0 ng/mL showed that optimal screening intervals in men with serum PSA levels of ≤0.6 ng/mL might be longer than those in the guidelines . Further examination is required to optimize the screening interval for Japanese men with low baseline PSA levels, and the findings regarding PSA‐related indices in the present study are expected to contribute to establishing individualized screening systems that take into account the natural history of the disease adjusted for Japanese men with low baseline PSA levels.…”

“…4 However, novel findings in our closer study of men with baseline PSA levels of 0.0-1.0 ng/mL showed that optimal screening intervals in men with serum PSA levels of ≤0.6 ng/mL might be longer than those in the guidelines. 5 Further examination is required to optimize the screening interval for Japanese men with low baseline PSA levels, and the findings regarding PSA-related indices in the present study are expected to contribute to establishing individualized screening systems that take into account the natural history of the disease adjusted for Japanese men with low baseline PSA levels.…”