11 Preventive Health Screening Tests Doctors Recommend

9. Prostate screening (PSA / shared decision-making)

Prostate screening with a PSA blood test can detect prostate changes but carries trade-offs between early detection and overdiagnosis. Major guidance recommends individualized shared decision-making about PSA testing for men roughly 55–69 years old, with some men at higher risk discussing earlier testing (African American men, those with family history) (USPSTF; American Cancer Society). What to expect: a simple blood draw measures prostate-specific antigen levels; elevated PSA often leads to repeat testing and possibly imaging or biopsy. Preparation tips: avoid ejaculation and strenuous prostate stimulation for 48 hours before the test, and tell your clinician about recent urinary procedures that can affect results. Because PSA screening can lead to detection of slow-growing tumors that may never cause harm, many men opt for active surveillance rather than immediate treatment if low-risk cancer is found. Discuss your values, family history, and health priorities with your provider to decide whether PSA testing fits your care plan.