The American Cancer Society Releases New Guidelines for Prostate Cancer Screening

Last month the American Cancer Society (ACS) released a new set of guidelines for prostate cancer screenings. The guidelines emphasise the importance of shared decision making when reviewing and deciding on the "uncertainties, risks, and potential benefits of screening before deciding to be tested." This is the first update to the ACS prostate cancer screening guidelines since 2001 and the first of these guidelines to indicate what specific information about screening is required for informed decision making to happen.

As noted on the ACS website, these are the updated recommendations:

• Asymptomatic men who have at least a ten-year life expectancy should have an opportunity to make an informed decision with their health care provider about screening for prostate cancer after receiving information about the uncertainties, risks, and potential benefits associated with screening.
• Men at average risk should receive this information beginning at age 50. Men at higher risk, including African American men and men with a first degree relative (father or brother) diagnosed with prostate cancer before age 65, should receive this information beginning at age 45. Men at appreciably higher risk (multiple family members diagnosed with prostate cancer before age 65) should receive this information beginning at age 40.
• Men should either receive this information directly from their health care providers or be referred to reliable and culturally appropriate sources.
• Patient decision aids are helpful in preparing men to make a decision whether to be tested.
• Prostate cancer screening should not occur without an informed decision making process. Asymptomatic men who have less than a ten-year life expectancy based on age and health status should not be offered prostate cancer screening.
• For men who are unable to decide, the screening decision can be left to the discretion of the health care provider, who should factor into the decision his or her knowledge of the patient’s general health preferences and values.

The Foundation for Informed Medical Decisions, a Boston-based non-profit organization that promotes active patient participation in medical decision making, also advocates for shared decision making. They strongly support the idea that patients partner with their doctors to make medical decisions that take into account individual patients' personal preferences and values.

The Foundation recently released a video featuring the Foundation president, Dr. Michael Barry, discussing the importance of knowing the facts about PSA testing and the risks involved. Watch the video below.

For more information about the new ACS guidelines, click here.

For more information about prostate cancer, its diagnosis and treatment or advice on complementary or alternative methods of care, please don't hesitate to contact Dr. Scherr.