PSA Test Guidelines Evolved

Prostate cancer rates have risen since 2012 government guidelines stopped recommending PSA testing.

Black Men Face Higher Risk

Black men are more than twice as likely to die from prostate cancer compared to white men.

PSA Test's Past Use

High PSA numbers used to fast-track men to biopsies and radiation or surgery without extending life.

“A lot of men were being exposed to treatments and side effects without necessarily extending their lives”

New Screening Pathway

MRIs and high-tech monitoring now identify which prostate cancers need treatment and which can be monitored.

“We really need to change the narrative on PSA”

PSA Test Timing

Start PSA testing at age 40-45 for Black men or those with family history of prostate cancer.

PSA Follow-Up

If PSA is high, repeat test in months to confirm it’s not due to infection or inflammation.

Advanced Biomarkers

Prostate Health Index, 4K, IsoPSA, and MyProstateScore 2.0 help clarify if biopsy is needed.

MRI Reduces Biopsies

Prostate MRI can reduce biopsy need by 20-30 percent but only 30-40 percent of patients get it.

Biopsy Techniques

Perineal biopsy reduces infection risk but requires specific equipment and training.

Active Surveillance

50 percent of prostate cancers don’t need immediate treatment and can be monitored with PSA tests.

“We think that something like 50 percent of cancers don’t need treatment”

Active Surveillance Results

10 years after active surveillance, less than 1 percent died from disease and less than 2 percent developed metastatic cancer.

PSA Test's Role

PSA test remains key but protocols now focus on monitoring rather than immediate treatment.