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Prostate Screening

A prostate screening checks for prostate cancer. Two common screenings are a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test and a digital rectal exam.

The American Cancer Society recommends first discussing the topic with a healthcare provider to understand the possible benefits, risks, and uncertainties of prostate cancer screening.

The discussion should take place in the following instances:

  • Age 50 for men who are at average risk of prostate cancer and are expected to live at least 10 more years.
  • Age 45 for men at high risk of developing prostate cancer. This includes African American men and men who have a first-degree relative (father or brother) diagnosed with prostate cancer at an early age (younger than age 65).
  • Age 40 for men at even higher risk (those with more than one first-degree relative who had prostate cancer at an early age).