American Cancer Society reverses course on prostate screening

New screening guidelines released

The American Cancer Society now recommends men at average risk get a PSA test every two years from age fifty to sixty nine, a significant shift from its previous guidance.

Higher-risk men should start earlier

Black men should get yearly PSA testing starting at age forty five. Non-Black men with a close relative diagnosed before age sixty five, or multiple relatives with prostate cancer, should also start at forty five…

A reversal from twenty ten guidance

The American Cancer Society's previous guidelines, published in twenty ten, made no universal recommendations for routine screening. Men at age fifty were advised to use shared decision making with their doctors instead.

New evidence shows screening saves lives

The American Cancer Society says its update is based on new evidence since twenty ten showing screening saves lives, and advances in case management can avoid harms from overdiagnosis and overtreatment.

Safeguards to prevent unnecessary treatment

If a PSA test is high, the American Cancer Society recommends repeating it first. Only after repeat testing remains high should men get an MRI or biomarker test, with biopsy reserved for high cancer suspicion.

Active surveillance for low-risk cancers

For men diagnosed with prostate cancer, active surveillance should be the initial strategy for low-risk cases. Nearly three hundred thirty four thousand men are estimated to be diagnosed with prostate cancer in twenty twenty six.

“By catching aggressive cancers with a simple PSA blood test, you open the door to highly effective treatments that protect your future.”