Prostate cancer is cancer of the prostate, a small gland in men located above the rectum and below the bladder. The prostate produced fluid that helps carry sperm during ejaculation.
Major medical associations have conflicting recommendations regarding prostate cancer screening. The US Preventative Task Force and many European medical cancer societies do not recommend routine PSA screening to detect prostate cancer. The American Cancer Society (ACS) and the American Urological Association believe men that health care professionals should discuss the potential benefits and limitations of prostate cancer early detection testing with men before any testing begins. This discussion should include an offer for testing with the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test and digital rectal exam (DRE) yearly, beginning at age 50, to men who are at average risk of prostate cancer and have at least a 10-year life expectancy. Following this discussion, those men who favor testing should be tested. Men should actively take part in this decision by learning about prostate cancer and the pros and cons of early detection and treatment of prostate cancer.
This discussion should take place starting at age 45 for men at high risk of developing prostate cancer. This includes African American men and men who have a first-degree relative (father, brother, or son) diagnosed with prostate cancer at an early age (younger than age 65). Men with female relatives who have breast cancer related to the breast cancer gene (BRCA) may also be at increased risk.
This discussion should take place at age 40 for men at even higher risk (those with several first-degree relatives who had prostate cancer at an early age).
If, after this discussion, a man asks his health care professional to make the decision for him, he should be tested (unless there is a specific reason not to test).
Screening should not be performed on men older who are 75 years old and older.
References
American Cancer Society. Cancer Facts & Figures 2009. Atlanta, Ga: American Cancer Society; 2009.