“We’re hopeful with this recommendation that men seriously consider being screened for prostate cancer as we outline in our guidelines,” said Dr. Yaw Nyame.
The American Cancer Society issued updated prostate cancer screening guidelines on Thursday, recommending that men at average risk undergo a prostate-specific antigen blood test every two years from age 50 to 69. The update is the first change to the organization's screening advice since 2010.
Prostate cancer remains the leading cancer diagnosis for men in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The National Cancer Institute notes the disease accounts for nearly 16 percent of all new cancer cases nationwide. For 2026, the American Cancer Society estimates that 333,830 men will receive a prostate cancer diagnosis, and more than 36,000 will die from the disease.
The new guidance also addresses stark health disparities by advising that Black men and individuals with a strong family history of the disease begin annual screenings at age 45. Black men face a 67 percent higher diagnosis rate and nearly twice the mortality rate of white men.
New guidelines simplify screening advice for doctors
The updated framework moves away from previous advice that emphasized shared decision-making and discussions between patients and doctors. Dr. Philipp Dahm called the shift a true reversal, noting that earlier protocols left patients and physicians to weigh risks and benefits independently.
Universal screening has faced historical controversy due to the slow-growing nature of many prostate tumors and the risks of overtreatment. Dr. Neeraj Agarwal said the clear recommendation simplifies a process that had become complicated for primary care physicians.
“A clear recommendation fixes that,” Agarwal told CNN.
Federal recommendations from the US Preventive Services Task Force still suggest individualized decisions for men aged 55 to 69. That federal stance historically cautioned against routine PSA testing due to concerns over unnecessary biopsies for low-risk tumors.
Guidelines recommend MRI or biomarker tests after PSA
To reduce painful and unnecessary biopsies, the updated guidelines officially recommend secondary testing, such as an MRI or a biomarker test, if an initial PSA blood result is elevated. Dr. Mina M. Fam noted that secondary testing allows physicians to detect dangerous cancers early while sparing patients from overtreatment.
“The beauty of this guideline update is that it officially recommends secondary testing – like an MRI or a biomarker test – if your initial PSA is elevated,” said Dr. Mina M. Fam.
The American Cancer Society published the full update in CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians.
Reaching age 70 returns decisions to men and providers
What happens when a man reaches age 70 under the new guidelines?
Once a man hits age 70, he returns to the individual decision-making process regarding continued prostate cancer screening with his healthcare provider.
What survival rates are associated with early detection?
The National Cancer Institute reports an overall five-year relative survival rate of 98.2 percent, which the American Cancer Society notes increases to over 99 percent when the cancer is detected before spreading outside the prostate gland.
What specific advice do physicians give patients at annual checkups?
“My advice to patients is to be proactive at your next annual checkup,” Fam told News-Medical.
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