Whether to perform routine PSA screening

  1. Routine PSA screening is not recommended for men under 40 years of age (level of evidence C). The clinical detection rate of prostate cancer in this age range is low, there is no evidence of benefit from screening, and the risk is comparable to other age groups; 2. Routine PSA screening is not recommended for those aged 40-54 years who are at general risk of prostate cancer (Level of Evidence C). For those under 55 years of age who are at high risk for prostate cancer (e.g., positive family history, African Americans), the need for prostate cancer screening requires individualized decision making; 3. For those 55-69 years of age, PSA screening requires a measure of risk and benefit. The benefit is the 1 in 1,000 reduction in mortality over 10 years of screening, and the risk is the potential harms of screening and treatment. For this reason, the panel recommends that patient values and wishes be taken into account when considering PSA screening for patients aged 55-69 years (level of evidence B. The greatest benefit of PSA screening is for those aged 55-69 years; 4. To reduce the harms of screening, routine screening is recommended every 2 years or more for those who are involved in clinical decision making and decide to screen. Once a year is not recommended. Once every 2 years has more benefit than once a year and reduces the probability of overdiagnosis and false positives (level of evidence C). Also, the interval between re-screenings should be individualized based on baseline PSA levels; 5. The panel does not recommend routine screening for PSA in people older than 70 years of age or in those with an expected survival of less than 10-15 years (Level of Evidence C). Some people older than 70 years of age but in good health may benefit from screening.