Stay Up to Date on Screening Tests
Men at high risk should start even earlier. If you’re Black or you have a strong family history of prostate cancer, your doctor might recommend getting your first PSA test at age 40 to 45.
“Screening is not one-size-fits-all,” stresses Ayangbesan. “It should be a shared conversation between patient and doctor, based on personal risks and values.” Your doctor will weigh the benefits of early detection against the risks of unnecessary testing or treatment when making screening recommendations, says Miller.
If prostate cancer runs in your family, have a conversation with your doctor about your risk and whether you should be tested for inherited gene mutations that are linked to this cancer. People with a family history may need to start PSA testing earlier, have it more often, and get additional imaging or a biopsy if there is any suspicion of cancer. “Preventive strategies are the same — diet, exercise, and healthy weight — but vigilance is greater,” Miller says.
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