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When to Start—and Stop—Screening

When to start screening is generally based on individual risk, with age 40 being a reasonable time to start screening for those at highest risk (genetic predispositions or strong family histories of prostate cancer at a young age).

For otherwise healthy men at high risk (positive family history or African American men), starting at age 40-45 is reasonable.

Guidelines differ for men at average risk. Some recommend an initial PSA and DRE at age 40, and others recommend starting at age 50. In general, all men should create a proactive prostate health plan that is right for them based on their lifestyle and family history.

When to stop screening is also controversial. Some groups propose 75 as a reasonable cut-off age. Other groups suggest this is an individual decision based on life expectancy and overall current health.

You can find a useful resource for making these decisions at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention site.

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