On Wednesday, the American Cancer Society released some new guidelines related to prostate cancer screenings.

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in the U. S. The American Cancer Society found that in 2009, 192,280 men were diagnosed with prostate cancer. The mortality rate due to prostate cancer in the United States for 2009 accounted to 27,360.

Men aged between 50 and older should get a blood test called a prostate specific antigen (or PSA). P. S. A calculates protein levels, which signal cancer risk. Men should get screened every year if their P. S. A. test is 2.5 or above.

Dr. Rafat Ansari says, “People should get a P. S. A. blood test and digital rectal exam every year starting at 50, unless someone is at higher risk”.

Men who have a family history of prostate cancer are at increased risk of acquiring it. Also, African American men are susceptible to this form of cancer. They should get this information at 45 years of age. While men at average risk should get the screenings done starting from the age of 50.