Experts disagree about the frequency of PSA testing to screen for prostate cancer. ProScreen offer all clients over 40 annual PSA tests as we believe that this offers the best chance of identifying raised levels, and of monitoring the rate of any increase in PSA levels. This is precisely the information that your GP needs to assess the requirement for further investigations.

The American Cancer Society (ACS) recommends an annual PSA test for men age 50 and older who have life expectancy of at least 10 years. ACS also recommends annual screening, beginning at age 45, for men who are at high risk for prostate cancer (such as black men and men who have a family history of prostate cancer).

Other groups (such as the National Health Service) believe there is not enough evidence to recommend routine screening with the PSA test for all men. Groups that do not recommend annual screening cite the rate of false-negative and false-positive results, the costs and risks of further tests, and the uncertain impact of treatment on survival.

A recent study suggests that those with a family history of prostate cancer begin annual PSA screening between ages 40 and 45 years. Other men should begin at age 50 years.

According to the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging, a more powerful way to identify men who should be screened at a younger age is to do a PSA test at age 40, regardless of family history. Those with low risk, defined as <0.6 ng/mL, can wait until age 45 to 50 years to begin regular screening. High-risk patients should be followed annually to monitor PSA trends