Updated

Updated · Reuters · Nov 12

American Cancer Society Backs PSA Screening for Men 50-69, Urges Annual Tests From 45 for Black Men

Updated

Updated · Reuters · Nov 12

American Cancer Society Backs PSA Screening for Men 50-69, Urges Annual Tests From 45 for Black Men

Q: Could an elevated PSA test result actually be caused by your daily workout routine rather than prostate cancer?

Yes. An elevated PSA can be caused by your workout routine or other recent activity, not just prostate cancer. PSA is a prostate marker, not a cancer diagnosis. Levels can rise for several noncancerous reasons, including vigorous exercise, especially cycling, recent ejaculation, prostatitis, urinary infection, an enlarged prostate, or recent prostate procedures. Hard workouts that put pressure on the pelvic area can temporarily push PSA up. That is one reason the American Cancer Society’s new guidance says men with a high PSA should repeat the test within two weeks to three months before moving to MRI or biopsy. Many doctors also advise avoiding ejaculation, vigorous exercise and cycling for about 48 hours before a PSA blood draw, and postponing testing if you are sick or have urinary symptoms, because inflammation can skew the result. A single elevated PSA therefore should not be read as proof of cancer. Doctors usually interpret it alongside age, PSA trends over time, family history, ancestry, prostate size, symptoms and sometimes additional tests such as free PSA, PSA density or MRI. What matters most is whether the PSA stays elevated after temporary triggers are removed. If it remains high on repeat testing, MRI is now commonly used to help decide whether a biopsy is needed. Persistent elevation deserves follow-up, but a one-off high result after a long bike ride or intense workout may reflect the exercise rather than cancer.

3 articles · Updated · Reuters · Nov 12

Routine PSA screening is now recommended for many men, replacing the ACS's 2010 stance that left the decision to individual discussions with doctors.
Every 2 years, average-risk men ages 50-69 should get PSA blood tests, while Black men ages 45-69 and men with a family history should be screened annually.
333,830 U.S. men are expected to be diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2026 and 36,320 to die, with Black men facing 67% higher incidence and nearly double the mortality of white men.
Medical advances drove the shift: the ACS said stronger evidence, MRI before biopsy, and wider use of active surveillance for low-risk disease have reduced unnecessary biopsies, treatment, and side effects.
Screening still is not advised for men 75 and older in most cases, while men 70-74 should discuss the uncertain balance of benefits and harms with their doctors.