New prostate cancer screening guidelines include regular testing for most older men

Key Points:

• The American Cancer Society (ACS) now recommends most men aged 50 to 69 undergo prostate-specific antigen (PSA) screening every two years, with higher-risk groups such as Black men and those with close family histories advised to get annual tests.
• Men aged 70 to 74 should consult healthcare providers about PSA testing based on their health and life expectancy, reflecting updated guidance aimed at balancing benefits and harms of screening.
• The updated guidelines were influenced by recent long-term studies showing PSA screening reduces prostate cancer deaths, addressing concerns about rising rates of advanced prostate cancer and previous reductions in screening.
• PSA testing helps detect early-stage prostate cancer, improving survival, but can also lead to overdiagnosis and unnecessary treatments with significant side effects, prompting more nuanced recommendations for screening intervals and patient groups.
• The new guidelines could have implications for early detection in older men, including former President Joe Biden, who was diagnosed with advanced prostate cancer after following prior screening advice against testing past age 70.