Prostate
Prostate cancer screening: the American Cancer Society changes its guideline
14 November 2026
On 12 November 2026 the American Cancer Society (ACS) published a new guideline for the early detection of prostate cancer. It is the first update since 2010, and it changes one key point: for the first time, the ACS directly recommends regular PSA testing, rather than leaving the choice to a case-by-case conversation with a physician.
What it recommends
- Men at average risk: a PSA test every two years from 50 to 69.
- Black men, and men whose father or brother was diagnosed before 65 or who have several close relatives with the disease: a PSA test every year from 45 to 69.
- Men with one close relative diagnosed at 65 or older: every two years from 45 to 69.
- From 70 to 74 the decision is individual. From 75, screening is usually not recommended, except for very healthy men who discuss it with their physician. It is not recommended after 80, or with a life expectancy under 10 years.
- A PSA of 3.0 ng/mL or higher is considered elevated from 45 to 69 (6.5 from 70 to 74). An elevated result should be repeated within two weeks to three months.
- If it stays high, an MRI and/or a validated biomarker test should guide the decision about a biopsy.
- For low-risk cancers, active surveillance is the first option.
Why it changed
In 2010 PSA testing was scaled back because it is not very specific: many men had unnecessary biopsies and were treated for cancers that would never have caused harm. Today, MRI before biopsy reduces unnecessary procedures, and active surveillance avoids treating low-risk cancers. According to the ACS, the balance of benefits and harms has shifted.
Not everyone agrees
The US Preventive Services Task Force still recommends an individual decision from 55 to 69, and has announced an update. PSA remains an imperfect test: finding more early cancers does not mean they all need treatment.
What to do
If you are between 50 and 69, or 45 and over with a higher risk, talk to your physician about PSA testing and how often to repeat it.
Sources: American Cancer Society press release, 12 November 2026; Hoffman et al., CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians 2026; STAT News, 12 November 2026.