Prostate Needle Biopsy Outcomes in the Era of the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force Recommendation against Prostate Specific Antigen Based Screening

Abstract

In the 2 and a half years after the USPSTF recommendation against prostate specific antigen based screening, patients undergoing prostate needle biopsies were significantly more likely to be diagnosed with high risk disease. However, a reduction in the number of prostate needle biopsies performed occurred concomitantly with a decrease in the detection of intermediate risk, potentially curable prostate cancer. Future focus on informed application of screening techniques may prevent the reversal of decades of improvement in the prostate cancer mortality rate.