Doctors’ Group Introduces New Prostate Cancer Screening Guidelines
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iStockphoto/Thinkstock(NEW YORK) — A physicians’ association is making changes to prostate cancer screening guidelines.
When screening for prostate cancer, the most common diagnostic tool is the blood work, known as a PSA test. However, it’s become increasingly controversial, and now the American Urological Association (AUA) has had an important change of mind about its recommendations for screening.
Under the new guidelines, the AUA says PSA screening is not recommended for:
- Men under age 40.
- Men ages 40 to 54 deemed at “average” risk.
- Men above age 70.
- Men who have less than 10 to 15 years of life expectancy.
Prostate cancer is the most common form of the disease in U.S. men and the second-leading cause of cancer deaths in males. According to the AUA, the greatest benefit of PSA screening appears to be in men ages 55 to 69.
These men should discuss with their doctors whether a PSA test is right for them, as should men of other ages whose race or family history puts them at higher risk of prostate cancer.
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