New Guidelines Urge Men to Get Prostate Cancer Screenings

Millions of American men now have clearer guidance on when to begin prostate cancer screening, how frequently to get tested, and what to do when results show elevated PSA levels.

The American Cancer Society (ACS) released its first major update to prostate cancer screening guidelines since 2010.

The new recommendations represent an important shift. Rather than primarily encouraging men to discuss screening with their doctors, the organization now directly recommends regular prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood testing for men in specific age and risk groups.

The change reflects growing evidence that screening can reduce the likelihood of dying from prostate cancer and help identify aggressive tumors before they spread.

Prostate cancer remains one of the most common cancers affecting American men and the second-leading cause of cancer death among men in the United States.

The ACS estimates that approximately 333,830 men will be diagnosed with the disease in 2026, while approximately 36,320 will die from it.

The message is clear: knowing your risk and detecting prostate cancer earlier can make an important difference in treatment options and long-term outcomes.

Who Should Start Getting Screened?

The updated guidelines establish specific recommendations based on age and individual risk.

For men at average risk, the ACS recommends a PSA blood test every two years between ages 50 and 69.

Men considered at higher risk should begin earlier.

Black men and men with a strong family history of prostate cancer should undergo annual screening beginning at age 45 and continuing through age 69.

For non-Black men with one close relative diagnosed at age 65 or older, screening every two years from ages 45 to 69 is recommended.

These distinctions are important because prostate cancer does not affect every population equally.

Black men are approximately 67% more likely to develop prostate cancer and have nearly twice the mortality rate of White men, according to the ACS.

Family history also matters. Having a father, brother, or son diagnosed with prostate cancer, particularly at a younger age, can indicate an increased risk.

For men with inherited genetic conditions associated with prostate cancer, including certain BRCA gene mutations, screening discussions may need to begin even earlier.

The PSA Test: A Simple Blood Test That Can Save Lives

The primary screening method recommended by the ACS is the prostate-specific antigen test.

PSA is a protein produced by the prostate gland. A blood test measures its concentration, helping doctors identify changes that may require further investigation.

Elevated PSA levels can indicate prostate cancer, but they do not automatically mean cancer is present.

Other conditions, including benign prostate enlargement and inflammation, can also increase PSA.

That is why the updated guidelines emphasize a more careful approach to interpreting results.

For men ages 45 to 69, a PSA level of 3.0 ng/mL or higher is considered elevated under the new recommendations.

For men ages 70 to 74, the corresponding threshold is 6.5 ng/mL or higher.

Rather than immediately proceeding to a biopsy, doctors should generally repeat an elevated PSA test between two weeks and three months later to confirm the result.

If the elevation persists, additional testing can help determine whether a biopsy is necessary.

MRI Technology Could Reduce Unnecessary Biopsies

One of the most important developments behind the new guidelines is the increased use of advanced diagnostic technology.

For men with confirmed elevated PSA levels, the ACS recommends offering prostate MRI and/or validated biomarker testing to help determine whether a biopsy is needed.

MRI can provide detailed images of the prostate, helping physicians identify suspicious areas that may require further examination.

Biomarker tests can provide additional information about the likelihood of clinically significant cancer.

These approaches help doctors distinguish potentially aggressive tumors from slower-growing cancers that may never become life-threatening.

This is particularly important because unnecessary biopsies and treatments can produce complications, including infections, urinary incontinence, erectile dysfunction, and bowel problems.

The objective is to identify cancers that require treatment while avoiding unnecessary medical intervention.

What About Men Over 70?

The new guidelines also provide more specific recommendations for older men.

For men between 70 and 74, the decision to continue screening should be individualized.

Overall health, life expectancy, previous PSA results, and personal preferences should all be considered with a healthcare professional.

For men 75 and older, routine screening is not recommended.

Some exceptionally healthy men between 75 and 79 may choose to continue testing, particularly if their PSA levels have been rising, but this requires an individualized medical discussion.

Screening is discouraged after age 80 and for men who are not expected to live another ten years.

The reasoning is that the potential benefits of detecting a slowly developing cancer become smaller when competing health conditions limit life expectancy.

Why These Guidelines Matter Now

The updated recommendations reflect significant progress in understanding prostate cancer and how it develops.

Historically, widespread PSA screening raised concerns about false-positive results, overdiagnosis, and unnecessary treatment.

Some men underwent invasive procedures for cancers that might never have affected their health.

Today, physicians have additional tools to evaluate abnormal results and monitor low-risk cancers.

The ACS now recommends active surveillance as the initial management option for men diagnosed with prostate cancer that has a low risk of growing or spreading.

This approach involves regular PSA testing, MRI examinations when appropriate, and follow-up biopsies rather than immediately beginning aggressive treatment.

It allows patients to avoid or delay treatment-related complications while maintaining medical supervision.

A Conversation Every Man Should Have With His Doctor

Prostate cancer can develop without obvious symptoms during its early stages.

Waiting until symptoms appear may mean the disease has already advanced.

The new American Cancer Society guidelines provide men with clearer information about when to begin screening and how frequently testing should occur.

They also emphasize that screening is a process, not simply a single blood test.

Men should understand their family history, discuss individual risk factors, and ask their healthcare providers about the benefits and possible limitations of testing.

Prostate cancer does not have to become a late discovery. With clearer screening recommendations, improved diagnostic technology, and informed medical decisions, American men have better opportunities to detect dangerous cancers earlier and protect their health for the years ahead.