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Prostate Cancer: Screening Guidelines

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Cancer Screening Guidelines

Note that when we use the terms "male" and "men" we are referring to people assigned male at birth. This section covers the following topics:

Prostate cancer screening for high-risk people

The National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) has guidelines for screening using tests and digital rectal exam (DRE) in people age 40 and older who are at increased risk for prostate cancer. 

  • If you have a mutation, NCCN recommends yearly screening. 
  • NCCN recommends other high-risk people should consider annual screening after having a conversation with their doctor about the benefits and risks of testing. This includes people who:
    • have a mutation in another gene linked to prostate cancer
    • have a family history of prostate cancer
    • are Black/African American
  • High-risk people should consider enrolling in a screening clinical trial. 

See the table below for more details. 

 

Open Table
Prostate screening guidelines for those at high risk: Table of guideline

Screening for average-risk people

There are several different guidelines for prostate cancer screening in people of average risk. All of the guidelines include having a conversaton with your doctor about your risk for prostate cancer and the benefits, risks and limitations of screening using PSE testing and DRE. The recommended frequency of screening depends on whether the PSA results are low or slightly elevated. See the table below for more details. 

  • NCCN recommendations begin at age 45.  
  • The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force () recommendations begin at age 55.
  • The American Cancer Society (ACS) recommendations begin at age 50.  
Open Table
Prostate cancer screening guidelines for those of average risk: Table of prostate cancer screening guidelines

More Resources

Participate in Prostate Cancer Prevention Research

Below are some of our featured research studies looking at new treatments for prostate cancer treatment. To search for more studies, visit our Search and Enroll Tool

Last updated February 14, 2024