Increasing aggressive prostate cancer.

INTRODUCTION: To compare prostate biopsy (Pbx) characteristics, before and after the 2012 United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) prostate cancer screening guidelines in our practice.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: We completed a retrospective comparative analysis of 1703 sequential patients that had a Pbx in 2010 to 2012 (3 years) with 1006 patients biopsied in 2018, 2019 and 2021 (3 years). Data from a total of 2709 Pbx was collected on patient age, race, prostate-specific antigen (PSA), digital rectal examination (DRE) and Gleason sum score (GSS). The data was analyzed to determine whether the 2012 USPSTF screening recommendations against prostate cancer screening may have affected prostate cancer characteristics. Two study groups were defined as Group A and Group B. Group A represents Pbx prior to the 2012 USPSTF screening guidelines (2010-2012) and Group B represents Pbx in 2018-19 and 2021. The patient population consisted of 76% Black, 14% White and 11% other.

RESULTS: The number of patients that had a Pbx in Groups A vs. B: 567 patients/year vs. 335 patients/year. The annual positive Pbx rate for Group A vs. B: 134/year vs. 175/year. High grade prostate cancer (GSS 7-10) in Groups A vs. B: 51.5% vs. 59%. The proportion of patients with a PSA 10 ng/mL or greater in Groups A vs. B: 25.4% vs. 31%. The PSA 10 ng/mL and over and GSS 7-10 was higher in Group B for all age groups. In 2021, GSS 7-10 was present in 64% of 70-80 year olds. In Group B, GSS 6 decreased by 7.5% while GSS 7-10 increased by 7.5% compared with Group A.

CONCLUSIONS: Our data through the year 2021 shows that after the 2012 USPSTF recommendations against prostate cancer screening, Pbx decreased and prostate cancer diagnosis and high grade (GSS 7-10) prostate cancer increased. As our patient population consists of 76% Black patients and 33% of men age 70-80 years old, our results support annual prostate cancer screening for US men 50-80 years old and especially high-risk patients that include Black men, men with a family history of prostate cancer and healthy men age 70-80 years old. Annual DRE- and PSA- based prostate cancer screening will likely markedly decrease prostate cancer morbidity, mortality and the cost of prostate cancer management.