Every year, on 11 June, World Prostate Cancer Day is observed to raise public awareness about one of the most prevalent male neoplasms. This day fits within a European context increasingly focused on prevention and early diagnosis—fundamental pillars to improve treatment outcomes and reduce mortality.

On this occasion, EUCanScreen, the European project for innovation in cancer screening programmes, reaffirms its commitment to supporting European healthcare systems in adopting evidence-based strategies to enhance early detection, including for prostate cancer.

A growing cancer with significant disparities across Europe

Prostate cancer is currently the most commonly diagnosed carcinoma among men in Europe, with around 450,000 new cases each year and over 107,000 deaths recorded across the continent, according to data from the European Association of Urology (EAU) (https://epad.uroweb.org/). Despite its high incidence, the disease can progress asymptomatically for years, making timely intervention even more crucial.

Prostate cancer is now one of the leading causes of cancer-related morbidity in the male European population. According to the OECD–JRC 2025 report, incidence rates vary significantly between countries—from 104 cases per 100,000 inhabitants in Bulgaria to 265 in Lithuania. The EU average stands at 154 per 100,000, highlighting substantial differences related to the adoption of prevention and early diagnosis strategies (Full report PDF).

A new European recommendation on screening

For the first time, prostate cancer has been included in the European recommendations on cancer screening, revised in 2023 under the Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan. The new guideline recommends offering PSA (Prostate-Specific Antigen) testing, followed by multiparametric MRI in suspected cases, using a risk-stratified approach. The goal is to increase diagnostic precision and avoid unnecessary procedures, often caused by overdiagnosis (Source: European Parliament).

Numerous scientific studies, such as those from the European Randomized Study of Screening for Prostate Cancer (ERSPC) with 16-year follow-up, confirm that PSA screening can reduce prostate cancer mortality by up to 20% in men aged 55 to 69. The number of men needing to be screened to prevent one death (NNS) decreased to 570, showing an improvement in effectiveness over time (PubMed, 2019).

Further analyses of ERSPC data have shown that, after 21 years of follow-up, PSA-based screening reduces the incidence of advanced prostate cancer stages, disease progression, and the need for intensive treatments, contributing to a reduction in prostate cancer-specific mortality (euoncology.europeanurology.com).

Additionally, a 2024 study found that, after correcting for contamination and compliance, PSA screening was associated with a 31% reduction in prostate cancer mortality. In specific subgroups, such as Gothenburg, biennial screening over 20 years led to a 56% reduction, while in Rotterdam the reduction was 51% (nature.com).

These findings reinforce the importance of PSA screening as an effective tool for reducing prostate cancer mortality, emphasising the need for well-structured and personalised screening programmes to maximise benefits and minimise potential harms.

Cancer diagnostics and artificial intelligence: the role of EUCAIM

The European Cancer Imaging Initiative (EUCAIM) is one of the technological pillars of the EU Cancer Plan. The federated platform enables the sharing and analysis of diagnostic images—including those related to prostate cancer—across Europe. Partners are developing artificial intelligence algorithms to increase diagnostic precision and reduce the invasiveness of investigations, with potential impacts also on follow-up management (More on EUCAIM).

Equity and early diagnosis: Europe’s commitment

World Prostate Cancer Day is not only an opportunity for public awareness but also a catalyst for political and scientific action. To ensure early diagnosis truly becomes accessible to all, continued investment is needed in innovation, data interoperability, and risk-based prevention strategies.

Projects like EUCanScreen are essential to bridge inequalities and make every screening programme a tangible opportunity for equitable, effective, and evidence-based public health.