The update reflects a strategic effort to address rising rates of advanced prostate cancer, which the society identifies as the second leading cause of cancer death in men in the United States.
Under the new standards, men at average risk are encouraged to begin biennial PSA screening at age 50. For those at higher risk—specifically Black men and individuals with a strong family history of the disease—the society now recommends annual testing starting at age 45. High-risk categories include non-Black men with a first-degree relative diagnosed before age 65, or those with multiple first-degree relatives diagnosed at any age.
The organization notes that screening is not recommended for men aged 80 and older, or for those not expected to live another ten years. “Men need to get tested, and higher-risk men need to get tested earlier,” said Dr. Phillip Koo, chief medical officer of the Prostate Cancer Foundation.
New prostate cancer screening guidelines include regular testing for most older men The American Cancer Society aims to reverse rising rates of advanced prostate cancer with a major change in guidance for prostate-specific antigen, or PSA, I report for @NBCNews The change in… pic.twitter.com/TZAOBDs6Th
Dr. Yaw Nyame, an associate professor and physician at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center who was part of the expert committee that evaluated the ACS recommendations, observed that PSA testing serves as an effective biomarker for detecting prostate cancer.
The American Cancer Society cited a long-term European study that followed men ages 55 to 69, randomly assigning them to groups that received PSA testing or no screening. This 2025 study concluded that prostate cancer deaths were 13% lower in the screened group.
Prostate cancer continues to affect public health; the ACS estimates that 333,830 men will be diagnosed in 2026, with 36,320 deaths expected. An ACS study from last year indicated that diagnoses of the disease increased by approximately 3% annually between 2014 and 2021. Experts like Daniel George, a medical oncologist at Duke Health who specializes in urological cancers, have discussed the challenges and implications of prostate cancer screening practices.
The Preventive Services Task Force, a group of external experts appointed by the federal government, has maintained its existing stance since the 2025 data emerged; it continues to advise against universal, population-based PSA screening in favor of personalized decision-making. However, the committee, which sets the standards for preventive care that insurance providers are required to fund, will revise its standards.
James Eastham, chief of urology at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, supports the balanced approach: “There have been many men undergoing unnecessary biopsies, and many low risk cancers that were subsequently overtreated.” For those diagnosed with low-risk tumors, the society advises active surveillance as the initial management option.
The ACS has said that its updated guidelines are a critical step toward preventing late-stage diagnoses. Readers concerned about their individual risk profile or screening options are encouraged to consult with a qualified medical professional to discuss their family history and personal health status.
Funding for STAT’s reporting on the health issues impacting boys and men is provided by the Boston Foundation and Rise Together, a donor-advised fund created by American Institute for Boys and Men founding president Richard Reeves and managed by the National Philanthropic Trust.