The American Cancer Society (ACS) on Thursday issued revised prostate cancer screening recommendations, urging regular testing for average-risk men aged 50 to 69. The new guidance, announced via press release, also calls for annual screening beginning at age 45 for Black men and those with a strong family history of the disease.
For men aged 70 to 74, the ACS advises that decisions about continuing screening be made on an individual basis, reflecting the need to balance potential benefits against risks in older populations.
Shanthi Sivendran, the ACS interim chief patient officer, framed the updated guidance as a proactive health measure. “Think of prostate cancer screening as an early warning system for your health,” she said in the release. “By catching aggressive cancers with a simple PSA blood test, you open the door to highly effective treatments that protect your future. Meanwhile, lower-risk findings can be safely managed through careful, active surveillance.”
The announcement arrives amid heightened public attention to prostate cancer following former President Joe Biden’s diagnosis last May. Biden, who was found to have an aggressive form of the disease that had spread to his bones, completed treatment in October 2025. His doctors noted that the cancer was “hormone sensitive,” which allows for effective management.
In a post on X, Biden endorsed the new guidelines, drawing on his personal experience. “I know firsthand the toll of this disease, and I know that catching it early saves lives,” he wrote. “So talk to your doctor, get screened, and let’s keep working to end cancer as we know it.”
The former president’s health has remained a topic of political discussion, especially as he prepares to release his memoir, “Promise Me, America,” on Nov. 17. On Sunday, Biden announced he would reduce the number of promotional events for the book, citing the ongoing effects of his treatment. “Some days are better than others. It hasn’t stopped me,” he said. “But sometimes it slows me down. What that means is, unfortunately, I won’t be able to do as many conversations about my book as I’d hoped. However, I’m hopeful the words on the page speak for themselves.”
Biden has also faced questions about whether he concealed his diagnosis while in office. In an interview with People magazine published Wednesday, he denied any cover-up, saying, “A lot of people do that” but “didn’t do that. We let the public know when I found out, when I knew what was going on.” This follows earlier reports and denials from Biden about hiding the diagnosis.
The ACS guidelines could reshape how primary care physicians approach prostate cancer screening, which has been a contentious issue in recent years due to concerns about overdiagnosis and overtreatment. The new recommendations emphasize shared decision-making and risk stratification, aligning with broader trends in preventive medicine.
As the political world watches Biden’s health journey, his public advocacy for early detection may influence public perception and policy discussions around cancer screening. Biden’s scaled-back book tour and his candid remarks about his condition have kept the issue in the spotlight.
