Amid continuing controversy about who should be screened for prostate cancer, as well as when and how, the American Urological Association (AUA) has issued updated guidelines for health practitioners.

Major changes include new recommendations about who should be considered for PSA testing, as well as when a biopsy is indicated following an abnormal PSA.

According to the AUA, early detection and risk assessment of prostate cancer should be offered to men 40 years of age or older who have a life expectancy of at least 10 years.

Such testing may not only allow for earlier detection, but may also allow for more efficient, less frequent testing.

The guideline also notes that factors such as family history, age, overall health and ethnicity should be combined with the results of PSA testing and a physical exam to better determine the risk of prostate cancer.

“The single most important message of this statement is that prostate cancer testing is an individual decision that patients of any age should make in conjunction with their physicians,” says Dr Peter Carroll, chair of the panel that developed the guideline.

“There is no single standard that applies to all men, nor should there be at this time,” he added.

Recent research has suggested a vegetable-rich diet and pomegranate juice may lower the risk of prostate cancer due to their antioxidant power.

Other studies have also linked omega-3 fatty acids to better prostate health.