Cancer society recommends PSA screening schedule for average-risk men

The American Cancer Society recommends PSA blood tests every two years for average-risk men ages 50 through 69, in guidance marked revised November 12.

The society’s guidance recommends a different schedule for Black men: an annual PSA test from ages 45 through 69. It also sets out schedules for men with a close family history of prostate cancer, depending on their circumstances.

The society says screening decisions should include a discussion with a health care provider about potential benefits, limits and harms. It describes the goal as finding cancers likely to become life-threatening while avoiding unnecessary tests and treatment for cancers unlikely to cause harm.

For prostate cancers assessed as having a low risk of growing or spreading, the society recommends offering active surveillance as an initial approach. That means closely monitoring the cancer instead of treating it immediately.

Mount Sinai urologist Ash Tewari told Fox News that men often assume prostate cancer will happen to someone else. His observation accompanied the outlet’s November 14 report on the screening guidance.