Prostate Knowledge Archive

Saw palmetto is a popular “natural” choice for urinary symptoms from an enlarged prostate, but high-quality studies show little or no real benefit. Men are urged to talk with a doctor first, both to rule out serious causes and avoid misplaced hope.

A PSA test can detect early-stage prostate cancer while it’s still asymptomatic, but some men are diagnosed with prostate cancer only after symptoms appear. The editor in chief of the Harvard Medical School Guide to Prostate Diseases answers questions about how doctors distinguish prostate cancer from other noncancerous problems affecting the prostate.

Men on active surveillance for low-risk prostate cancer might need treatment if their PSA levels start to rise. Doctors also measure PSA to check for recurring cancer in men who were already treated with surgery or radiation. But use of the test in such cases differs in important ways.

Every year, millions of men around the world get a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test. Abnormal readings on the test suggest a man might have prostate cancer. But how should an abnormal result be interpreted?

For men who choose prostate cancer screening, it begins with measuring prostate-specific antigen (PSA) in the blood. Scientists continue to explore strategies beyond PSA testing to identify men who should have biopsies because they are more likely to have intermediate or high-risk cancer. These strategies include other types of PSA measurements, urine tests for genes, new imaging methods and artificial intelligence that works to improve the accuracy and efficiency of MRI and biopsies.

High-resolution micro-ultrasound may be an efficient alternative to using MRI plus conventional ultrasound to guide prostate biopsies, according to a 2025 study. The micro-ultrasound method proved as accurate as MRI guidance, but requires fewer visits and costs less.

The US Preventive Services Task Force recommends against screening for prostate cancer in men older than 70, but as life expectancy for this group increases and treatment options evolve, it's important for men to be aware of their options.

Marketed as a natural remedy for an enlarged prostate, saw palmetto is a top-selling dietary supplement. By one estimate, more than a third of all US adults who take supplements use saw palmetto. But experts at Harvard say men should view its supposed benefits for prostate health skeptically.