Prostate cancer incidence and mortality in the Spanish section of the European Randomized Study of Screening For Prostate Cancer (ERSPC)

BACKGROUND: To present the long-term results of a prostate cancer (PC) screening trial conducted in a Mediterranean setting. METHODS: A total of 4276 men aged 45–70 years were randomized to screening arm (PSA test performed) and control arm (no tests). Transrectal ultrasonography-guided sextant prostate biopsy was conducted when PSA⩾3 ng ml −1 . Date and cause of death were retrieved from death certificates. PC incidence, and disease-specific and overall mortality curves were plotted and comparison between arms was made. Analysis of causes of death was also performed. RESULTS: Median age at randomization was 57.0 years. Median follow-up time was 15.2 years. A total of 241 men were diagnosed with PC, 161 (6.7%) in the screening arm and 80 (4.3%) in the control arm ( P