The American Cancer Society (ACS) has updated its prostate cancer screening guideline for 2026, recommending that men ages 50 to 69 at average risk discuss prostate-specific antigen (PSA) testing and, if they choose screening, generally repeat it every two years. The update also sets earlier starting points for some men at higher risk.

The guidance is for informed conversations between patients and health professionals, not a directive that everyone should be tested. PSA screening can find cancers earlier, but it can also lead to false alarms, further testing and treatment of cancers that might never have caused harm. The ACS says people should weigh those tradeoffs before deciding.

What the 2026 guideline recommends by age and risk

For men at average risk, the ACS recommends discussing screening from ages 50 through 69. If a man elects a PSA test, the guideline recommends repeating it every two years. The society says routine screening is generally not recommended from age 75, though some healthy men ages 75 to 79 may discuss it with a clinician. Screening is discouraged after age 80 and at any age when life expectancy is under 10 years.

For men at increased risk, the guideline moves the discussion earlier. Black men are advised to begin annual discussions and screening at age 45. Men with a close relative—such as a father, brother or son—who had prostate cancer should also begin at 45. The schedule can be annual for a man whose relative was diagnosed before 65 or who has more than one affected close relative; for one affected relative diagnosed at 65 or older, the ACS advises a two-year interval if screening is chosen.

Why PSA screening remains a personal decision

A PSA blood test measures a protein made by the prostate; an elevated result does not by itself mean someone has cancer. Other conditions can raise PSA, and a concerning result may lead to repeat testing or additional procedures. The ACS maintains shared decision-making because the potential benefit of finding a dangerous cancer earlier must be considered alongside these harms.

The society says its update reflects stronger evidence about screening’s effect on prostate cancer deaths and improvements in how clinicians manage the disease. It replaces the ACS’s previous major screening guideline, issued in 2010. The recommendation is specific to the ACS; patients should discuss their own risk factors, health and preferences with a qualified clinician.

Readers can find more background on the site’s Health coverage.

Sources

American Cancer Society, 2026 prostate cancer screening recommendations and guideline update announcement; Associated Press, report on the revised guidance; NBC News, independent coverage of the changes.