New findings reveal that men who engage in one common habit face a 45 percent higher risk of developing prostate cancer.
According to the American Cancer Society, approximately one in eight men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime. It ranks as the second deadliest cancer among men, trailing only lung cancer.
The disease claims the lives of about one in 44 men, although many diagnosed will not die from it.
Now, experts are raising red flags about a particular behavior that could significantly increase that risk.
The research shows attending appointments is key (Getty Stock Image)
Skipping routine prostate cancer screenings can raise the risk of death by 45 percent, health specialists are now cautioning.
Implementing nationwide screening—particularly those using the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test—could detect cancer earlier and allow men quicker access to treatment.
Findings from the European Randomised Study of Screening for Prostate Cancer (ERSPC)—the largest prostate screening research project, spanning two decades and seven European countries—show that early detection greatly improves chances of a cure and may reduce the need for expensive treatments.
The data repeatedly shows that PSA testing can lower prostate cancer death rates by 20 percent.
PSA tests can reduce the risk of death dramatically (Getty Stock Image)
Research conducted over the past two decades reveals a clear connection between declining attendance at prostate screening appointments and an increased risk of death from the disease.
The findings highlight a “stark contrast” in outcomes, emphasizing the serious consequences of skipping screenings.
Led by scientists at the Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, part of the University Medical Centre in the Netherlands, the study analyzed data from 72,460 men.
Roughly one in six participants had skipped all their screening appointments.
This group faced a 45% greater risk of dying from prostate cancer compared to those who regularly attended their check-ups.
The groundbreaking research spans 20 years (Getty Stock Image)
In contrast, men who showed up for screenings had a 23% lower chance of dying from prostate cancer, while those who skipped out faced a 39% higher risk.
Offering insight into this gap, lead researcher Renée Leenen, M.D., Ph.D., from the Netherlands Cancer Institute, explained: “It’s possible that men who chose not to attend screenings tend to avoid healthcare altogether—they might also be less inclined to adopt healthy habits or seek preventive care.”
She continued: “That’s quite different from those who are more health-aware and more willing to go in for a screening appointment.”
Dr. Leenen also emphasized that medical professionals must gain a deeper understanding of the men who avoid these checkups—and the reasons behind their choices.
“This insight will allow us to build prostate cancer screening programs at the population level that boost informed participation. Increasing attendance in this way could play a major role in making a national screening effort successful over time,” she noted.
The study’s results are set to be shared at the upcoming European Association of Urology (EAU) Congress in Madrid, Spain.
