The prevalence of prostate cancer screening in Thai elderly.
OBJECTIVE
Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in elderly men in Western countries. In the future, it may be an important problem in Thailand. At present, there is no evidence about the prevalence and the outcome of screening in this disease.


OBJECTIVE
To determine the prevalence of prostate cancer in elderly Thai men and to identify the most appropriate screening method for detection of prostate cancer in Thailand.


METHODS
928 elderly men from communities around Siriraj Hospital were evaluated for prostate cancer by Digital Rectal Examination (DRE) and/or Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA). Transrectal ultrasound guided biopsy (TRUS-Bx) which is the gold standard for definitive diagnosis was performed in cases with an abnormal DRE and/or PSA. If biopsy could not be performed, intermittent follow-up with DRE and/or PSA were recommended.


RESULTS
The prevalence of prostate cancer in Thai elderly men in the urban community was more than 0.75 per cent and the prevalence of abnormal DRE and PSA was 8.7 and 17.3 per cent respectively. The Positive Predictive Value (PPV) of both tests was 60 per cent and higher than the PPV of an individual test. A screening program for prostate cancer starting with DRE may be more cost effective.


CONCLUSIONS
The prevalence of prostate cancer, abnormal DRE and abnormal PSA in Thai elderly men were more than 0.75, 8.7 and 17.3 per cent respectively which are comparable to the prevalence in Western countries. It is important that we take an interest in this disease.
Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand.
Anupan
A
Tantiwong
Suchai
S
Soontrapa
Pichaiya
P
Sujijantrarat
Nirun
N
Vanprapar
Lawan
L
Sawangsak
D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening; D010808:Physical Examination; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D015995:Prevalence; D017430:Prostate-Specific Antigen / Q000032:analysis; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D013785:Thailand / Q000453:epidemiology
D017430:Prostate-Specific Antigen