Summary
The CAP trial, a large cluster-randomised controlled trial of 415,357 men aged 50–69 years across 573 UK primary care practices, evaluated whether a single PSA screening intervention reduces prostate cancer-specific mortality. After a median 10-year follow-up, the study found no significant difference in prostate cancer-specific mortality between the screened and control groups (rate ratio 0.96; 95% CI 0.85–1.08), suggesting that a single PSA screening invitation with standardised diagnostic pathways does not substantially reduce prostate cancer mortality in this population.
UK applicability
This trial was conducted across the United Kingdom and directly informs UK screening policy and primary care practice. The findings suggest that opportunistic or invitation-based PSA screening, as currently practised in UK general practice, does not provide significant mortality benefit and should be considered alongside risks of overdiagnosis and overtreatment in clinical decision-making.
Key measures
Prostate cancer-specific mortality rate per 1000 person-years; rate ratio and rate difference between intervention and control groups; Gleason grade; diagnostic stage; all-cause mortality
Outcomes reported
The study measured prostate cancer-specific mortality at median 10-year follow-up, as well as diagnostic cancer stage, Gleason grade, all-cause mortality, and the causal effect of attending PSA screening clinics.
Topic tags
Dig deeper with Pulse AI.
Pulse AI has read the whole catalogue. Ask about this record, its theme, or how the findings apply to UK farming and policy — every answer cites the underlying studies.