The Prostate, Lung, Colorectal and Ovarian (PLCO) Cancer Screening Trial is a randomized, controlled trial to determine whether certain screening exams reduce mortality from prostate, lung, colorectal and ovarian cancer.
Approximately 155,000 participants were enrolled between November 1993 and July 2001. PLCO has the following five ClinicalTrials.gov registration numbers: NCT00002540 (Prostate), NCT01696968 (Lung), NCT01696981 (Colorectal), NCT01696994 (Ovarian), and NCT00339495 (EEMS).
Cancer data collected up to December 31, 2009 and mortality data collected through 2022 for each subject in the PLCO trial are available on this website. Cancers and deaths continue to accrue. At some point in the future, these data will become available. For more information, see https://prevention.cancer.gov/major-programs/prostate-lung-colorectal-and-ovarian-cancer-screening-trial-plco.
Learn About PLCO
Get a detailed description of the trial, explaining how and what data were collected. The main findings of the trial and counts of cancers are available as well.
Learn More about PLCO
Available Datasets
Get detailed documentation of the PLCO data available on this site. Each dataset has a data dictionary, SAS format code, and a user guide.
PLCO DatasetsSubmit a PLCO Project Proposal
To gain access to available PLCO data and/or biospecimens, you must submit a project proposal. These are reviewed by NCI. If your project is approved, you will be required to complete a Data Transfer Agreement (and a Material Transfer Agreement, if applicable) before you will be granted access.
Available Project Proposals
There are four types of PLCO projects. Choose one to begin a new project proposal.
Approved Projects
View approved projects that used PLCO data. Project summaries, aims, collaborators and more are available.
Browse 1649 ProjectsPublications
Browse the complete list of published articles on PLCO data, including authors, journal names, and more.
Search 1364 Publications