A few years ago, experts said prostate screening guidelines led to overdiagnosis and possibly overtreatment of prostate cancer. That panel of experts recommended against men getting routinely tested.

That same panel now says that men between the ages of 55 and 69 should talk to their doctor about the pros and cons of prostate cancer screening, then make a personal decision.

According to the new guidelines, men ages 70 and older should not be screened. Doctors say the risks of screening outweigh the benefits.

Doctors at the Cancer Center at Stony Brook Medicine say they understand that changing guidelines makes it confusing for patients to figure out what to do.

He says patients can be more closely monitored before undergoing treatment that could have potential side effects.

“We, as urologists in the urologic community, continue to understand prostate cancer better based on our scientific research every day,” said the doctor. “We’re understanding more and more about what men need to be treated and what men don't.”

Luke Mahoney was diagnosed with prostate cancer 10 years ago. He says he should have waited before jumping into surgery so quickly after his diagnosis. 

“I would've done a lot more research and I probably would've waited because I didn't need to rush and panic,” says Mahoney.