Are Prostate Exams Mandatory?

If concern about the rectal exam is the only reason you're not getting screened, talk to your doctor about it. We can discuss the risks and benefits. None of the evaluation tests are mandatory, but the reason we do that is that it improves our ability to detect cancer.

Is a prostate mandatory?

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) now recommends that men ages 55 to 69 decide for themselves whether to undergo a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) screening test, after talking it over with their doctor. They recommend against screening for men at or above the age of 70.

Do you need a prostate exam every year?

Your test results will further determine how often you may need a prostate exam. Generally, if your PSA result is under 2.5, you will likely only need to have the test every 2 years. On the other hand, if the result is higher than that figure, your doctor will likely recommend an annual prostate exam.