Risk of prostate can.cer increases by 45% in men due to a common practice

Prostate cancer often develops silently, with most men experiencing no noticeable symptoms in its early stages.

When urinary changes do occur, they are frequently linked to non-cancerous conditions such as an enlarged prostate or other urinary tract issues. Still, medical experts stress that any persistent changes should be evaluated by a doctor to rule out more serious causes.

According to the American Cancer Society, about one in eight men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer at some point in their lives. It is currently the second-leading cause of cancer-related deaths among men, surpassed only by lung cancer.

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In recent years, the risk associated with prostate cancer has risen by approximately 45%, a trend many experts attribute to declining participation in routine screening appointments. Health professionals argue that broader, nationwide screening programs—especially those measuring prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels through blood tests—could significantly improve early detection and ensure timely treatment.

Evidence supports this approach. A major study conducted by the European Randomised Study of Screening for Prostate Cancer (ERSPC) found that early diagnosis greatly increases the likelihood of successful treatment while reducing the need for costly medical interventions. The research followed participants for 20 years and included data from seven European countries.

The study revealed that regular screenings can reduce the risk of dying from prostate cancer by up to 20%. Led by researchers at the Erasmus MC Cancer Institute at the University Medical Centre in the Netherlands, the study involved 72,460 men.

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Results showed that nearly one in six participants never attended their scheduled screening appointments. Those who did participate, however, had a 23% lower risk of death from prostate cancer.

Lead author Renée Leenen, M.D., Ph.D., suggested that men who avoid screenings may generally be less engaged in preventive healthcare. “It may be that men who opted not to attend a screening appointment are care avoiders,” she explained, noting that such individuals are often less likely to adopt healthy behaviors overall.

She contrasted this with men who are more health-conscious and proactive about prevention, emphasizing the importance of understanding why so many men skip these potentially life-saving screenings.

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