• The prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test and the digital rectal    examination (DRE) should be offered annually, beginning at age 50.(1) The primary screening tool should be the DRE.  If the DRE is negative there is no need to have a PSA, but the PSA should be offered as an option.(2)  

• Begin digital rectal exam (DRE) and prostate specific antigen (PSA) screening at age 45 for men with a first degree relative (father, brother or son) diagnosed with prostate cancer before 65 years of age.(1)
  
  
• If a man has more than one first-degree relative diagnosed with prostate cancer before age 65, screening may begin at age 40.(2)
  
  
• Men with a family history (first degree relatives) of prostate cancer (especially cancer found at a younger age) should be  offered a PSA test and DRE and start risk benefit discussions with a healthcare provider at age 40.(2)

A record of a person's current and past illnesses, and those of his or her parents, brothers, sisters, children, and other blood relatives. A family health history shows the pattern of certain diseases in a family, and helps to determine risk factors for those and other diseases.(3)