A NEW study examining prostate cancer testing in Sweden reveals that socioeconomic factors significantly affect participation in both organised and unorganised prostate-specific antigen (PSA) testing programs. Conducted in Region Västra Götaland, the study analysed data from the region’s population-based organised prostate cancer testing (OPT) program, which began in 2020, alongside unorganised clinical testing data from 2013-2014, focusing on 50-year-old men.
The study found that men with lower income, single status, lower educational attainment, and non-Nordic country of birth were less likely to participate in the OPT program. Specifically, men in low-income brackets were 37% less likely to participate than those with higher income, while single men were 22% less likely than those in non-single households. Lower educational levels and non-Nordic backgrounds were also linked to reduced participation, with 16% and 12% lower testing rates, respectively.
In the case of unorganised PSA testing, low income and single household status were again associated with lower participation, but educational attainment and country of birth did not have a significant impact. The findings underscore that despite efforts to increase accessibility through organised testing invitations, socioeconomic disparities continue to influence testing uptake.
Researchers suggest that additional measures may be necessary to promote equitable access to prostate cancer testing, as the current invitation-based model does not fully mitigate socioeconomic inequalities. These results highlight the need for targeted interventions to bridge the gap in prostate cancer detection among underserved populations, which could improve early detection and outcomes.
Aleksandra Zurowska, EMJ
Reference
Järbur E et al. Associations between socioeconomic factors and PSA testing in a population-based organised testing programme and routine healthcare: a register-based study of 50-year-old men: BMJ Oncol. 2024;3(1):e000400.
