New prostate cancer screening guidelines set screening frequencies, encourage more people to get screened

The American Cancer Society today released new prostate cancer screening guidelines, shifting from a “shared decision making” approach to a more definitive recommendation for men of average and increased risk to get screened. The new guidelines also establish clear screening frequencies for people of both average and high risk.

Prostate cancer screening, which is completed with a prostate specific antigen (PSA) blood test, is now recommended annually beginning at age 45 for high-risk groups and every two years beginning at age 50 for those at average risk.

You are considered to be at high risk of prostate cancer if you:

• Have a strong family history of prostate cancer. A strong family history means you have a close relative (parent, child or sibling) who had prostate cancer قبل age 65 or more than one close relative who had prostate cancer at any age.
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If you have a close relative who was diagnosed with prostate cancer after age 65, screening should begin at age 45 and continue every two years. People at average risk of prostate cancer should start screening at age 50, continuing every two years until age 69.

Unlike previous guidelines—which emphasized a shared decision-making approach with a healthcare provider to discuss the pros and cons of screening—the new guidelines say anyone with a prostate gland who is in the right age range (50-69 for average risk) should get screened for prostate cancer with a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test.

The new guidelines also clarify what age to stop getting screened for prostate cancer. Previously, there was no recommended age—instead, people were encouraged to talk with their healthcare provider to determine the benefits and risks of continuing screening. Now, it’s recommended to stop screening at age 69. Continuing screening at ages 70-74 is an individual decision, and screening for those ages 75 and older should be discussed with a healthcare provider. Under the new guidelines, screening is not recommended for people age 80 or older.

“In the past, uncertainty around prostate cancer screening has made it difficult for people to know if and when to get tested,” said Jody Hoyos, CEO of the Prevent Cancer Foundation. “These updated guidelines offer a clearer path forward, recognizing the importance of regular, routine screening and early detection for better health outcomes. It’s a meaningful step toward helping more people detect prostate cancer early, when treatment is more likely to be successful.”

The new guidelines also provide recommendations on additional screening. People with elevated PSA levels should undergo repeat PSA testing between two weeks and three months. You are considered to have elevated PSA levels at:

• Ages 45-69: 3.0 ng/mL or higher
• Ages 70-74: 6.5 ng/mL or higher

If you are confirmed to have elevated PSA levels, testing with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and/or a validated biomarker test should be offered to help determine whether you need a prostate biopsy.

For more information about prostate cancer screening guidelines, risk factors and symptoms, please visit preventcancer.org/prostate.