@Article{cju.2026.077318,
AUTHOR = {Mohamed Jalloh, Louise Makau-Barasa, Joana Ainuson-Quampah, Ada Okechukwu, Lamine Niang, Oseremen Aisuodionoe-Shadrach, Serigne Gueye, Akin Adebiyi, Ben Adusei, Pedro Fernandez, Abraham van Wyk, Olufemi Ogunbiyi, James E. Mensah, Caroline Andrews, Ilir Agalliu, Thomas Rohan, Ann Hsing, Timothy R. Rebbeck},
TITLE = {Systematic review of prostate cancer screening in Sub-Saharan Arica},
JOURNAL = {Canadian Journal of Urology},
VOLUME = {},
YEAR = {},
NUMBER = {},
PAGES = {{pages}},
URL = {http://www.techscience.com/CJU/online/detail/27331},
ISSN = {1488-5581},
ABSTRACT = { <b>Backgrounds:</b> Prostate cancer (PCa) in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) is characterized by late-stage diagnoses and high mortality. PCa screening is uncommon. This review presents current evidence on PCa screening practices across SSA to identify prevailing trends, methodological limitations, and opportunities for early detection. <b>Methods:</b> A systematic literature review identified seven studies conducted in SSA over the past three decades, focusing on PCa screening modalities, population characteristics, geographical distribution, and outcomes. Studies were identified from PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, African Index Medicus, and Global Health and uploaded into Covidence for screening, sorting and data extraction. The search period was limited to June 2022 and prior. Keywords combination were designed to target studies on screening, prostate cancer diagnosis and outcome and Sub Saharan Africa. <b>Results:</b> All studies were institution-based and predominantly conducted in urban settings, with no standardized screening protocols or mortality endpoints reported. Prostate-specific antigen (PSA), digital rectal examination (DRE), and transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) were the primary screening tools used; however, no study assessed sensitivity, specificity, or predictive values. Considerable variation was observed in PSA assay types, cut-off thresholds, and age ranges, limiting comparability. None of the studies incorporated MRI or evaluated screening performance by age group. The absence of national-level studies and harmonized guidelines highlights a critical gap in current research and practice. <b>Conclusion:</b> There is an urgent need for representative, population-based studies in SSA to inform optimal early detection protocols, understand clinical outcomes, and address geographic and demographic disparities. Available data limits the development of PCa screening guidelines in SSA. To address this shortcoming more studies will be required to develop responsive risk-adapted strategies that would work in resource limited settings and support early detection of PCa cancer in SSA.},
DOI = {10.32604/cju.2026.077318}
}