A newly released patient guide from the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) is shedding light on the evolving landscape of prostate cancer screening, emphasizing that the benefits of screening outweigh the potential harms when guided by current evidence.
The publication, NCCN Guidelines for Patients: Prostate Cancer Screening, provides clear, accessible information on who should be screened, when to begin, and how screening practices have changed over time. Notably, the guidelines reflect a significant shift away from routine invasive procedures, with screening now often beginning with a simple blood test and incorporating more precise strategies to reduce unnecessary biopsies and overtreatment.
Jonathan (Yoni) Shoag, MD, member of Case CCC’s Population and Cancer Prevention Program, contributed as a member of the NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology panel for prostate cancer early detection, which formed the basis of this patient resource.
The guide also addresses longstanding misconceptions about screening and provides age-specific recommendations, helping patients better understand their individual risk and options. By making expert-driven guidance more accessible, NCCN aims to support informed decision-making and encourage appropriate, potentially life-saving screening.
The NCCN Guidelines for Patients: Prostate Cancer Screening is available at the link below, and via the NCCN Patient Guides for Cancer app.