An estimate of prostate cancer prevalence for a demographically similar workforce population

W V Med J. 1999 May-Jun;95(3):116-22.

Abstract

To obtain an estimate of prostate cancer prevalence when screening is applied to a workforce, we conducted a search of the English world literature from West Virginia University. Thirty-one papers which met selection criteria for screening were followed by histopathologic diagnosis. Publications using Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) as a screening test were reviewed. The data from these papers were combined. Population characteristics were then selected to represent the demographics of a working population. Prostate cancer prevalence estimates for the demographics of a working population were calculated using a weighted mean after relevant studies lacked homogeneity and therefore failed meta-analysis. The expected prevalence of prostate cancer in a workplace surveillance population is 2.03% (95% C.I. from 1.69% to 2.37%). This information is useful to entities considering workplace surveillance. Selection bias, geographic location, and uncertainty in prediction of a representative workforce population may strongly influence estimates.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Canada
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mass Screening* / economics
  • Middle Aged
  • Occupational Health Services* / economics
  • Practice Guidelines as Topic
  • Prevalence
  • Prostate-Specific Antigen / blood
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / epidemiology*
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / prevention & control*
  • United States

Substances

  • Prostate-Specific Antigen