Final Recommendation Statement:

Screening for Prostate Cancer

Final Recommendation Statement: Screening for Prostate Cancer

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force released today a final recommendation statement on screening for prostate cancer. Based on a review of the evidence, the Task Force recommends that men aged 55 to 69 years make an individual decision about whether to be screened after a conversation with their clinician about the potential benefits and harms. For men 70 years and older, the potential benefits do not outweigh the expected harms, and these men should not be routinely screened for prostate cancer. To view the recommendation and the evidence on which it is based, please go to www.screeningforprostatecancer.org. The final recommendation statement can also be found in the May 8 online issue of JAMA.

In addition to posting the final materials, the Task Force has developed answers to frequently asked questions, a video, and an infographic to help health care professionals, stakeholders, and the public understand and communicate about these recommendations. They are available at www.screeningforprostatecancer.org.

The Final Recommendation Statement Is Available

FINAL RECOMMENDATION SUMMARY

See the full statement

Population

Recommendation

Grade

Men aged 55 to 69 years

For men aged 55 to 69 years, the decision to undergo periodic prostate-specific antigen (PSA)–based screening for prostate cancer should be an individual one. Before deciding whether to be screened, men should have an opportunity to discuss the potential benefits and harms of screening with their clinician and to incorporate their values and preferences in the decision. Screening offers a small potential benefit of reducing the chance of death from prostate cancer in some men. However, many men will experience potential harms of screening, including false-positive results that require additional testing and possible prostate biopsy; overdiagnosis and overtreatment; and treatment complications, such as incontinence and erectile dysfunction. In determining whether this service is appropriate in individual cases, patients and clinicians should consider the balance of benefits and harms on the basis of family history, race/ethnicity, comorbid medical conditions, patient values about the benefits and harms of screening and treatment-specific outcomes, and other health needs. Clinicians should not screen men who do not express a preference for screening.

Men 70 years and older

The USPSTF recommends against PSA-based screening for prostate cancer in men 70 years and older.

WHY THIS MATTERS

“Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers to affect men and the decision whether to be screened is complex. Men should discuss the benefits and harms of screening with their doctor, so they can make the best choice for themselves based on their values and individual circumstances.”

– Task Force vice chair Alex H. Krist, M.D., M.P.H.