Screening Recommendations for persons at "general population risk" (refers to persons of a certain age, who are not known to have any medical conditions, family history of cancer or specific exposures that would increase the risk of developing certain type(s) of cancer above that of the general population)
Beginning at age 50 years
- discuss risks and benefits of prostate cancer screening with your physician. Most prostate cancers are found by digital rectal examination (DRE) and/or prostate-specific antigen (PSA) testing. PSA is used as an early detection test for prostate cancer. PSA levels estimate how likely a man is to have prostate cancer, but the test does not provide a definite answer. The diagnosis of prostate cancer can only be made be removing a sample of prostate tissue for examination (biopsy). Learn more about the PSA test and DRE.
- after considering information about the known risks and potential benefits of prostate cancer screening, annual screening with PSA and digital rectal examination (DRE) should be available to those who request screening or choose to be screened
- if elected, screening can be discontinued if life expectancy is less than 10 years
Surveillance Recommendations for persons at "Increased risk." Learn if you are at increased risk (levels are variable; talk with your doctor). Beginning at age 40 years (or 10 years prior to age of earliest prostate cancer case in family):
- talk with your doctor about your family history of cancer and your overall health status
- consider PSA testing starting at age 40 years, or earlier, depending upon age of onset in the family; be certain to discuss the risks and benefits of prostate specific antigen (PSA) testing and plan for on-going surveillance
- after considering information about the known risks and potential benefits of prostate cancer screening, annual screening with PSA and DRE should be available to those who request to be screened
- annual screening can be discontinued when life expectancy falls to less than 10 years
- consider participation in a prevention trial
