Early indicators of prostate cancer risk in a community-based screening program in Lagos, Nigeria.

Abstract

e22503 Background: Community-based prostate health screening programs are important for early identification of men at risk of prostate cancer, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. This study describes clinical findings and prostate-specific antigen (PSA) profiles from a prostate health outreach in sub-Saharan Africa. Methods: This was a cross-sectional analysis of data obtained from a community prostate screening outreach conducted in Lekki Local Council Development Area, Lagos, Nigeria. Following informed consent, 190 participants were enrolled. Prostate-specific antigen levels were analyzed and categorized as normal (<4 ng/mL) or elevated (≥4 ng/mL). Descriptive statistics were used to summarize all variables. Results: A total of 190 men were included in this study. The mean age was 52.1 ± 10.7 years. The age distribution of participants was: <50 years (46.8%), 50–59 years (30.5%), 60–69 years (12.6%), 70–79 years (7.4%), and ≥80 years (2.6%). Overall, 21 participants (11.1%) had an elevated PSA level. PSA levels were distributed as follows: <0.5–2.4 ng/mL (77.4%), 2.5–3.9 ng/mL (11.6%), 4.0–9.9 ng/mL (7.9%), and ≥10.0 ng/mL (3.1%). Participants with elevated PSA were older (median age 65 vs. 49 years) and reported more lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) (57.1% vs. 3%). Among participants with elevated PSA who have one or more LUTS, the most common symptoms were incomplete voiding (33.3%), straining during urination (33.3%), and intermittent urinary stream (25%). Conclusions: Approximately one in nine men screened had an elevated PSA, with higher levels occurring predominantly among older age groups. These findings support the value of community-based prostate screening initiatives for early identification of men at increased risk of prostate cancer and highlight the importance of targeting older men for prostate health interventions in urban Nigerian settings.