Harms of PSA screening outweigh benefits for most men, says American College of Physicians

Men aged 50 to 69 years should have prostate specific antigen (PSA) tests only after discussing with their physicians the “limited potential benefits and substantial harms of screening for prostate cancer,” say new guidelines published on 9 April by the American College of Physicians.

“Only men between the ages of 50 and 69 who express a clear preference for screening should have the PSA test,” said David Bronson, president of the college.

“For most of these men, the harms will outweigh the benefits,” he added.

Men who have an average risk for prostate cancer, who are younger than 50 years, men older than 69 years, …