Screening for Prostatic Cancer:The German Experience

Abstract

The principles for screening for detection of early prostate cancer in the Federal Republic of Germany are described. Men are entitled from the beginning of their 45th year of life to an examination for early detection of cancerous diseases once annually and this examination is paid for by the insurance system. in the age group around 60 years about 15% of the men participate. Among 1 341 833 men participating in 1987, 1 638 new cases of prostate cancer were detected. the proportion of cases suitable for total prostatectomy has increased considerably since the screening program was introduced and now stands at about 25% in the author's department. the survival rate of this group is comparable to that of the general population, when adjusted for age distribution. It is suggested that screening for prostate cancer might reduce the mortality of this disease.