Prostate Cancer Screening

The prostate is part of the male reproductive system. Prostate cancer screening cannot prevent prostate cancer, but it can find it early when it may be easier to treat. However, prostate cancer screening is not recommended for all males. This is because there are issues around screening that make it unclear if the benefits outweigh the risk for all males. Many prostate cancers grow so slowly that they may never cause problems during a person's lifetime or death. Screening may lead to treatment that is not needed, and there can be side effects from treatment. These include impotence (difficulty getting or keeping an erection) and incontinence (inability to control your bladder).

Prostate Cancer Screening Recommendation

Current guidelines* recommend males ages 55-69 talk to their health care provider about their risk for prostate cancer and whether screening is the best choice for them. Many organizations recommend that males at higher risk for prostate cancer, including Black males and males with a family history of prostate cancer, begin conversations about prostate cancer screening with their health care provider earlier, starting at age 40 or 45. The choice to be screened for prostate cancer is an individual one and should be made after talking to a health care provider.

* These are United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) guidelines. Many organizations and professional societies have developed guidelines for prostate cancer screening. All recommend that individuals should talk with their doctor about their own risk for prostate cancer and the risks and benefits of screening to decide if prostate cancer screening is right for them.

Prostate Cancer Screening Test

Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test

The PSA blood test measures the amount of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) in the blood. PSA is a protein released by the prostate gland.

The chance of having prostate cancer goes up as the PSA level goes up, but there is no set cutoff point that can tell for sure if someone does or does not have prostate cancer. A PSA level that is higher than normal may mean that there is a prostate problem, such as an enlarged prostate. A high PSA level does not necessarily mean you have prostate cancer.

A high PSA level may lead to other tests, including a biopsy. Only a biopsy can diagnose cancer.

Getting Screened

If you do have health insurance, prostate cancer screening is covered at no cost to the patient by nearly all health plans, including those that participate in the New York State of Health and New York's Medicaid program. Health plan coverage may vary. Check with your insurance plan to find out what benefits are covered for prostate cancer screening.

If you don't have insurance, you can get information about enrolling in a health plan through the New York State of Health.