About Prostate Health Screenings

Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers in men but it’s not the only condition that can affect the prostate. Other common issues include benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), which is a non-cancerous enlargement of the prostate, and prostatitis, an inflammation of the prostate.

The good news: Many prostate problems can be detected early through appropriate screenings.
Early detection often means:

• More treatment options
• Less aggressive treatment
• Better long-term quality of life

Screening is not one-size-fits-all. Your age, family history, race, and overall health all play a role in when and how you should be screened.

Is a Prostate Health Check Right for Me?

Every Man Should Know about Prostate Screening

Men often wonder: Should I be screened or not?
The concern is balancing the benefits of early detection with the risks of false positives (test results suggesting a problem when there isn’t one), false negatives (missing a problem that’s there), and over treatment (treating very slow-growing cancers that may never cause harm).

“Despite its limitations, PSA screening remains the best available tool for identifying the early signs of prostate cancer and other prostate conditions,” said E. David Crawford, MD, President of the Prostate Conditions Education Council.

Who Should Be Screened and When?

Screening recommendations vary somewhat across professional organizations, but most agree that shared decision-making, a discussion between you and your doctor about the potential benefits and risks, is essential. Current expert guidelines generally recommend:

• Higher risk: Men who are African American or who have a first-degree relative (father, brother, or son) with prostate cancer should begin screening at around age 40.
• Baseline PSA at age 40: Supported by many experts for all men, as it helps predict lifetime risk and establish a personalized screening schedule.
• Average risk: Men at average risk, including those without a family history of prostate cancer, not of African American descent, and without known genetic risk factors (such as BRCA1, BRCA2, or HOXB13 mutations) should consider starting PSA screening at around age 50.
• Continuing screening: Most men should continue regular screening through about age 70, though healthy men with higher risk or longer life expectancy may choose to continue beyond that age.

Routine screenings, including a PSA blood test and a digital rectal exam (DRE), can help detect prostate cancer early—when it is most treatable. The right timing and frequency should be based on your age, PSA history, risk factors, and personal preferences. Talk with your doctor to create a screening plan that fits your individual health profile.

Age Matters: PSA Levels and Risk Interpretation

PSA levels naturally vary with age. In younger men, a lower PSA is expected, so even a small elevation could be a cause for concern. In contrast, older men often have slightly higher PSA levels due to benign prostate enlargement (BPH), a common condition that comes with aging.
To help reduce unnecessary biopsies and improve accuracy, many physicians use age adjusted PSA ranges. While there is no universally agreed upon range, commonly cited benchmarks include:

Age Group	PSA Value Reference
40 to 49	2.5 ng/mL
50 to 59	3.5 ng/mL
60 to 69	4.5 ng/mL
70 to 79	6.5 ng/mL

Note: These values are commonly cited reference ranges, but any PSA result, whether above or below these numbers, should be discussed with your healthcare provider. Individual risk depends on many factors, not just PSA level.

However, PSA velocity (the rate of increase over time) and PSA density (PSA relative to prostate size) are also important when interpreting results, especially in men at higher risk.

PSA Tracking and Follow Up Monitoring

Tracking PSA levels over time helps identify concerning changes. Men should work with their provider to watch for:

• Rapid increases in PSA
• Doubling of PSA in less than 12 months

Key Facts About  Screening:

Screening Results Are NOT a Diagnosis 

A high PSA or abnormal DRE doesn’t always mean cancer, it’s a signal for further evaluation. PSA tests and digital rectal exams (DRE) are valuable tools but cannot confirm cancer on their own. Abnormal results may prompt further testing.

Diagnosis Does NOT Always Require Immediate Treatment

Some prostate cancers grow so slowly they may never cause problems.
Low-risk cancers may be monitored through active surveillance to avoid unnecessary side effects, with ongoing PSA tracking and periodic biopsies.

Free and Low Cost Screenings Are Available 

Access shouldn’t be a barrier to protecting your health. PCEC and its partners offer  PSA and DRE screenings across the U.S. throughout the year, with a special focus  during Prostate Cancer Awareness Month in September.

 

Screening Site Finder

 

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“Routine screenings offer an opportunity to catch the disease in its early stages. Having the advantage of an early diagnosis is crucial for the one in nine men who will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in his lifetime.”

–Paul Arangua MPH, Director of Research, PCEC