Skip to main content

Lund University Publications

LUND UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES

Prostate cancer diagnostics: evolution over 30 years and the impact of education level – a prospective population-based study

Will, Leon LU ; Thimansson, Erik LU ; Bengtsson, Johan LU orcid ; Bjartell, Anders LU ; Zackrisson, Sophia LU and Baubeta, Erik LU orcid (2025) In Frontiers in Oncology 15. p.01-10
Abstract
Objective: The aim of this study is to describe how the use of diagnostic imaging
for prostate cancer (PCa) has evolved over time and to determine whether there
are any differences in access to diagnostic imaging, type of cancers detected, and
mortality based on the education level of patients.
Methods: 11,063 men were recruited between 1991 and 1996 and then
prospectively followed until 2020. All new cases of PCa were recorded. At
baseline, data on education level, heredity for cancer, and health status were
collected. Incident PCa diagnoses during the study period were ascertained
through record matching with national healthcare registers. The registers
provided more detailed data on the cancer type... (More)
Objective: The aim of this study is to describe how the use of diagnostic imaging
for prostate cancer (PCa) has evolved over time and to determine whether there
are any differences in access to diagnostic imaging, type of cancers detected, and
mortality based on the education level of patients.
Methods: 11,063 men were recruited between 1991 and 1996 and then
prospectively followed until 2020. All new cases of PCa were recorded. At
baseline, data on education level, heredity for cancer, and health status were
collected. Incident PCa diagnoses during the study period were ascertained
through record matching with national healthcare registers. The registers
provided more detailed data on the cancer type and imaging performed.
Results: 1,816 men with diagnosed were PCa during the study period were
included. No differences were seen between education levels in regard to access
to diagnostic methods or tumour aggressiveness at diagnosis. Furthermore, no
differences were seen in PCa-specific mortality, but there was higher overall
mortality among individuals with a lower education level. During the study
period, the use of plain radiographic examinations decreased, while the use of
computed tomography (CT), prostate magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and
positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) increased.
Conclusion: Early detection and diagnostic methods for PCa have evolved over
the last 30 years. In a healthcare system where men diagnosed with PCa had
equal access to diagnostic pathways, no differences are seen in PCa specific
mortality. Nevertheless, men with lower education level still had higher
overall mortality. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
; ; ; ; and
organization
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
published
subject
in
Frontiers in Oncology
volume
15
article number
1636292
pages
01 - 10
publisher
Frontiers Media S. A.
ISSN
2234-943X
DOI
10.3389/fonc.2025.1636292
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
8acfeab9-5fd0-4520-8146-1c04e437c9b0
date added to LUP
2025-10-10 16:45:50
date last changed
2025-10-13 08:18:42
@article{8acfeab9-5fd0-4520-8146-1c04e437c9b0,
  abstract     = {{Objective: The aim of this study is to describe how the use of diagnostic imaging<br/>for prostate cancer (PCa) has evolved over time and to determine whether there<br/>are any differences in access to diagnostic imaging, type of cancers detected, and<br/>mortality based on the education level of patients.<br/>Methods: 11,063 men were recruited between 1991 and 1996 and then<br/>prospectively followed until 2020. All new cases of PCa were recorded. At<br/>baseline, data on education level, heredity for cancer, and health status were<br/>collected. Incident PCa diagnoses during the study period were ascertained<br/>through record matching with national healthcare registers. The registers<br/>provided more detailed data on the cancer type and imaging performed.<br/>Results: 1,816 men with diagnosed were PCa during the study period were<br/>included. No differences were seen between education levels in regard to access<br/>to diagnostic methods or tumour aggressiveness at diagnosis. Furthermore, no<br/>differences were seen in PCa-specific mortality, but there was higher overall<br/>mortality among individuals with a lower education level. During the study<br/>period, the use of plain radiographic examinations decreased, while the use of<br/>computed tomography (CT), prostate magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and<br/>positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) increased.<br/>Conclusion: Early detection and diagnostic methods for PCa have evolved over<br/>the last 30 years. In a healthcare system where men diagnosed with PCa had<br/>equal access to diagnostic pathways, no differences are seen in PCa specific<br/>mortality. Nevertheless, men with lower education level still had higher<br/>overall mortality.}},
  author       = {{Will, Leon and Thimansson, Erik and Bengtsson, Johan and Bjartell, Anders and Zackrisson, Sophia and Baubeta, Erik}},
  issn         = {{2234-943X}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  pages        = {{01--10}},
  publisher    = {{Frontiers Media S. A.}},
  series       = {{Frontiers in Oncology}},
  title        = {{Prostate cancer diagnostics: evolution over 30 years and the impact of education level – a prospective population-based study}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fonc.2025.1636292}},
  doi          = {{10.3389/fonc.2025.1636292}},
  volume       = {{15}},
  year         = {{2025}},
}