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Prostate Cancer Awareness Month: New Screening Guidelines

Updated guidelines bring a less invasive pathway to prostate cancer detection

New NHMRC-approved guidelines for prostate cancer screening are changing the pathway from first PSA test through to biopsy. These changes highlight the important role of pathology and radiology in early detection. These updated clinical guidelines emphasise a risk-adapted pathway using PSA blood tests, advanced mpMRI scans, and targeted follow-ups to safely avoid unnecessary surgical procedures. 

What's changed?

  • Digital rectal examination is no longer recommended as a routine screening step in primary care.
  • New evidence-based recommendations support using mpMRI (incorporating PSA density) to triage men before biopsy, and to guide targeted biopsies.
  • GPs are encouraged to start conversations with patients about prostate health from age 45.

The Referral Pathway

PSA testing remains the first step. From there, the pathway depends on age and risk category, with different testing intervals and PSA action levels for each group. Where PSA stays elevated after a confirmed repeat test, referral for mpMRI is the next step, ahead of MRI Image-Guided Biopsy


For the full guidelines, please visit https://www.pcfa.org.au/awareness/new-guidelines-for-the-early-detection-of-prostate-cancer/  

"This Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, we hope the updated guidelines give men more reason to take a proactive approach to their health and give GPs confidence in offering patients a less invasive pathway. Under the updated guidelines, mpMRI is recommended before biopsy, allowing clinicians to identify which patients genuinely require a biopsy and to identify areas of concern within the prostate for targeted assessment during biopsy. "

Dr Matthew Bastian-Jordan, Radiologist and Chief Medical Officer of Queensland X-Ray and Member of the PSA Guidelines Advisory Panel

"Cancer is easiest to treat and is more likely to have positive outcomes if it's diagnosed in its early stages, which is why this screening process is so important."

Dr Matthew Bastian-Jordan, Radiologist and Chief Medical Officer of Queensland X-Ray and Member of the PSA Guidelines Advisory Panel

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