Guidelines for Prostate Cancer Screening

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) doesn' recommend for or against routine screening, since there is not enough evidence to conclude that prostate cancer screening is beneficial. The USPSTF recommends that men discuss the benefits and risks associated with screening for prostate cancer with their regular primary care physician.

The USPSTF is the leading independent panel of experts in prevention and primary care. They look closely at the scientific evidence to check the effectiveness of preventive services, including screening, counseling and preventive medications. Its recommendations are considered the "gold standard."

Other medical organizations have also issued recommendations.

• The American College of Preventive Medicine (ACPM) - The ACPM recommends that men 50 or older and expected to live at least 10 years receive information about the potential benefits and harms of screening and the limits of current evidence. ACPM recommends that doctors help men make their own choices about screening, based on personal preferences. Routine PSA and DRE testing are not recommended at this time.
• The American Cancer Society (ACS) and the American Urological Association (AUA) - In contrast, the ACS and the AUA recommend health care providers offer yearly PSA and DRE testing for men, starting at 50, if they are expected to live for at least 10 additional years. High-risk individuals, such as African-Americans and men with a first-degree relative (father, brother or son) with prostate cancer, should begin testing at age 45. These men should discuss the potential benefits, side effects and questions about early prostate cancer detection and treatment with their health care providers in order to make informed decisions about testing.
• The American College of Physicians (ACP) - The ACP recommends doctors give men information about the benefits and harms of prostate cancer screening to help them make decisions based on personal preferences.

Whether to have prostate cancer screening is a difficult personal decision. Knowing all you can about your risks and prostate cancer will help make it clearer. Your doctor can help too. Take some time to talk to him/her about prostate screening. Together, you can arrive at the best decision.

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This article was reviewed and updated June 2007.