Early diagnosis is a prerequisite for permanent cure of prostatic carcinoma, and screening of asymptomatic men has been suggested. This proposal is discussed in relation to criteria for meaningful screening, and we conclude that most of these criteria are not fulfilled. While prostatic carcinoma is a major health problem, it has not been proved that early diagnosis and treatment, although undoubtedly useful for some, is profitable for the population as a whole. Many cases of early disease represent latent or slowly growing disease, for whom radical surgery or irradiation, with possible complications, would mean overtreatment. At present, screening cannot be advised for the general population, but should be considered for men at risk because of a history of prostatic cancer among close relatives.