Prostate cancer screening mainly uses a PSA (prostate-specific antigen) blood test, sometimes with a physical exam. Unlike some screenings, it is not universally recommended as a routine programme because PSA testing can find slow-growing cancers that would never cause harm, leading to anxiety and unnecessary treatment, while still missing some aggressive ones.
Most guidelines suggest a shared decision: men around 50 to 70 should discuss the potential benefits and harms with a doctor and decide based on their values. Men at higher risk, such as those with a family history or of African ancestry, often start the conversation earlier, around 45.
If you choose to test, results are interpreted in context and a single raised PSA does not mean cancer; it may prompt repeat testing or referral. Report urinary symptoms, blood in urine or semen, or bone pain to a doctor regardless of screening, and ask for a balanced discussion before deciding.