A University of Florida–led advisory council tasked by the state with developing guidelines for early detection of prostate cancer has released recommendations that differ from federal guidelines in the frequency of a key test for the disease and also take into account some unique characteristics of Florida’s population.

The release of the guidelines coincides with a rising incidence of prostate cancer in Florida, the number of new diagnoses within the state having increased for the fourth consecutive year. At the same time, a recent study published in the journal Health Affairs shows that the overall rate of men in the United States receiving treatment for prostate cancer fell 42 percent from 2007 to 2012, likely reflecting a change in federal screening recommendations.

Prostate Cancer Early Detection Guidelines for Floridians (2016–Vx.y) by the Florida Prostate Cancer Advisory Council:

• Despite some of the possible shortcomings of the utilization of PSA in the detection of prostate cancer, it is the general consensus of the PCAC members that PSA has been a positive and major development in the detection and management of early prostate cancer. Many prostate cancer experts believe the utilization of PSA in early detection of prostate cancer was a major factor in the decline of prostate cancer deaths in the United States over the past twenty–plus years. Finally, in comparison to many cancer detection tests, PSA is a relatively inexpensive, widely available and low–risk blood test for the patient. PCAC feels that the patient and their health care provider should have a discussion regarding the positive and negative aspects of the PSA blood test for detection of prostate cancer.
• All Floridian men 40 years or older should be directed by their health care professional to the PCAC website to review information regarding prostate cancer, the controversies surrounding screening and the risks and benefits of early detection.
• All Floridian men 50 years of age at average risk for prostate cancer should be encouraged to undergo early detection testing after being provided with thorough information on the burden of the disease, the potential for better detection with newer tests that may decrease the rate of unnecessary biopsies and potentially better predict aggressive cancer. Men with limited life expectancy (less than 5–10 years) should be discouraged from routine prostate cancer screening.
• All Floridian African–American men and men with first– and second–degree relatives with prostate cancer 40 years or older who are at higher risk of prostate cancer should be encouraged to undergo early detection testing.
• Early detection testing should include a PSA test, or newer markers (4K, Prostate Health Index [PHI] and digital rectal examination by their health care professional.
• All Floridian men undergoing early detection evaluation should be directed to the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) website, www.nccn.org, to follow up–to–date recommendations on early detection based on initial evaluation findings.