Task Force: Men Age 75 and Older Should Not Have Prostate Cancer Screening

Men 75 and older should not have screenings for prostate cancer, according to the U.S. Preventative Services Task Force.

The task force determined that the screenings provided more health risks than benefits. Many screenings use a PSA test, but the cancer detected takes years to affect health. The screening is unlikely to help a patient older than 75 live longer. The screening also may lead to biopsies, unnecessary treatment, false-positive results that can cause patient anxiety and complications such as urinary incontinence and impotence, according to the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.

Additionally, the task force said there is insufficient evidence to prove that men younger than 75 should be screened.