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Not all the medical societies that deal with prostate cancer agree on recommended screening tests and schedules.

Since it is currently unclear whether the benefits of screening and treatment for prostate cancer outweigh the risks and costs involved, we've gathered the recommendations of the different societies into this summary. Take this information to discuss with your doctor. Medical societies consider the evidence available from studies and create their best recommendations.

•  The American Cancer Society (ACS) recommends that:
•  Health care providers offer men a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test  and digital rectal exam (DRE) yearly, beginning at age 50, if they are  expected to live for at least 10 additional years.
•  High-risk individuals, such as African Americans and men with a first-
   degree relative (father, brother or son) with prostate cancer, should begin  testing at age 45.
•  Men at even higher risk (because they have several first-degree relatives
   who had prostate cancer at an early age) could begin testing at age 40.  Depending on the results of this initial test, further testing might not be  needed until age 45. These men should discuss the potential benefits, side  effects and questions about early prostate cancer detection and treatment  with their doctors in order to make informed decisions about testing.
•  The American College of Physicians (ACP) recommends that doctors give men  information about the benefits and harms of prostate cancer screening to help
   them make decisions based on personal preferences.
•  The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends against routine screening
   for prostate cancer. This recommendation is currently under review. This group is  the leading independent panel of experts in prevention and primary care. The task  force looks closely at the scientific evidence to check the effectiveness of
   preventive services, including screening, counseling and preventive medications.
   Its recommendations are considered the "gold standard."
•  The American College of Preventive Medicine (ACPM) recommends that men 50
   or older and expected to live at least 10 years receive information about the
   potential benefits and harms of screening and the limits of current evidence.
   ACPM recommends that doctors help men make their own choices about  screening, based on personal preferences. Routine PSA and digital rectal exam  testing are not recommended at this time.

As more information about screening and treatments for prostate cancer becomes available, the recommendations may change. The declining rate of death from prostate cancer may show the success of using prostate cancer screening along with the improvements in care. Currently, large clinical trials are in progress in the United States and Europe to provide better evidence for determining appropriate screening guidelines.

Sources: American Cancer Society. Can prostate cancer be found early? Accessed May 29, 2008. U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. Screening for prostate cancer. Accessed May 29, 2008. American College of Preventive Medicine. Screening for prostate cancer in American men. Accessed May 29, 2008.

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