NEW research presented at the European Association of Urology 2026 Congress shows prostate cancer screening has minimal impact on men’s quality of life and anxiety. The findings address a key evidence gap in health policy.
Researchers from Karolinska Institutet analyzed data from the STHLM3-MRI trial, a major Swedish study involving blood-based testing, MRI, and targeted biopsy in men aged 50-74. Participants completed digital surveys before testing, after blood results, post-MRI, and post-biopsy.
Quality of life remained high throughout, with EQ-5D-5L index scores ranging from 0.941 to 0.975. Health anxiety increased slightly-SHAI-14 scores rose from 6.50 to 7.57 after biopsy-but stayed within mild levels.
Men with positive results reported higher anxiety. Some expressed willingness to pay up to €277 to avoid biopsy, €43 to skip MRI. Data may refine economic models and support evidence-based screening policies.
Limitations include potential selection bias, as participants were already engaged in screening. Still, the study delivers real-world insights for public health planning.