Low-value prostate-specific antigen screening in older males

The US Preventive Services Task Force guidelines advise against PSA screening for prostate cancer in males older than 69 years due to the risk of false-positive results and overdiagnosis of indolent disease. However, this low-value PSA screening in males aged 70 years or older remains common. A study using data from the 2020 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System found that among older males, the overall PSA screening rate was approximately 50%. Clinician-led discussion of PSA testing advantages was associated with increased screening, whereas PSA testing disadvantages discussion was not associated with screening. Screening increased with higher educational level and annual income. Married respondents were screened more frequently than unmarried males.