Currently there is no organised population-based prostate cancer screening in Australia. Men (including asymptomatic men) may elect to have routine prostate-specific antigen (PSA) testing to screen for prostate cancer; however, their general practitioner should first discuss the benefits and harms of the test with them.

Men at moderate risk of developing prostate cancer (e.g. who have a father or brother who were diagnosed with prostate cancer) should be proactively followed up. If these men decide to undergo PSA testing, it should be offered every two years between the ages of 45 and 69 (PCFA and CCA 2016). For men who are at high risk of developing prostate cancer (e.g. father and two brothers diagnosed with prostate cancer) and are wanting to undergo testing, PSA testing should be offered every two years between the ages of 40 and 69 (PCFA and CCA 2016). PSA testing is not recommended for men who are unlikely to live another 7 years (PCFA and CCA 2016).

Men without risk factors for developing prostate cancer may also consider PSA testing for early detection between the ages of 50 and 69 years. A summary of the benefits and harms of PSA testing for prostate cancer in asymptomatic men can be found in the National Health and Medical Research Council’s PSA testing for prostate cancer in asymptomatic men – information for health practitioners.

Guidance for clinicians counselling their patients about the early detection of prostate cancer is provided in The Melbourne Consensus Statement on the early detection of prostate cancer.

For detailed clinical guidelines on PSA testing and early management of test-detected prostate cancer, refer to the Clinical practice guidelines for PSA testing and early management of test-detected prostate cancer.