The PLCO trial is a large-scale randomised controlled trial run by the US National Cancer Institute. It aims to determine whether certain cancer screening tests reduce deaths from prostate, lung, colorectal and ovarian cancer.
154,000 men and women between the ages of 55 and 74 were recruited to the trial in 10 US screening centres between 1992 and 2001. Half of the participants were selected at random to receive specific screening tests whilst half were selected to be a control group receiving routine care. As part of the prostate screening arm men receive a prostate specific antigen test and digital rectal examination, initially and annually thereafter for five years. All participants are then followed up for a further 10 years. Early findings published in March 2009 showed no significant reduction in mortality due to prostate cancer screening.
A randomised controlled trial of treatments for localised prostate cancer is also currently underway in the UK.
Back to prostate cancer research.