A new study has found that a routine prostate size evaluation may not be as effective as once believed when screening for cancer.

Research done by the Mayo Clinic studied the association of and prostate size and found that routine checks may not be a predictor for the development of cancer. However, if the are rising quickly, a biopsy may be a reasonable step to determine if cancer is developing.

The study consisted of 616 men between the ages of 40 and 79 who did not have prostate cancer. The participants were given examinations every two years for 17 years that included volume and PSA level measurements to try to predict the occurrence of prostate disease.

Of the 616 men, 58 developed prostate cancer, and those who did had a faster rise in their than those who were not affected by the disease. Size growth was similar for both those who developed cancer, and those who did not.