Prostate Cancer Screening guidelines updated
For more information, see American Cancer Society.
Informed Decision-Making: By Age and Core Elements
At the age of 50, men at average risk for prostate cancer should start receiving facts about prostate cancer and screening, states the new ACS guideline. Men at higher risk, including African American men and men with a first-degree relative (father or brother) diagnosed with prostate cancer before age 65, should receive this information beginning at age 45.
Men at "appreciably higher risk" (multiple family members diagnosed with prostate cancer before age 65) should receive information beginning at age 40.
The "core elements" of the information to be provided to men to assist with their prostate cancer screening decision include the following:
- Screening with the PSA blood test (Prostate Specific Antigen) detects cancer at an earlier stage than if no screening is performed.
- Prostate cancer screening might be associated with a reduction in the risk of dying from prostate cancer; however, evidence is conflicting.
- For men whose prostate cancer is detected by screening, it is not currently possible to predict which men are likely to benefit from treatment.
- Treatment for prostate cancer can lead to urinary, bowel, sexual, and other health problems that can be significant or minimal, permanent or temporary.
- The PSA and DRE (Digital Rectal Exam) can produce false-positive or false-negative results.
- Abnormal results from screening with PSA and DRE require prostate biopsies, which can be painful and lead to complications like infection or bleeding.
Not all men whose prostate cancer is detected through screening require immediate treatment. Some require periodic blood tests and prostate biopsies to determine the need for future treatment.