Lithuania updates prostate cancer screening and diagnostic protocols

Lithuania has updated its early prostate cancer diagnosis program as of September 1. Under the new guidelines, men aged 50–69 are invited for screening, with the frequency of repeat PSA blood tests determined by previous results. Men with lower PSA concentrations will require less frequent testing, and some may no longer need repeat screenings under the program.

Medical experts emphasize that the goal of these changes is to improve diagnostic precision and avoid unnecessary invasive procedures, thereby preserving patient quality of life. In Lithuania, more than 2,000 prostate cancer cases are diagnosed annually, accounting for approximately one-fifth of all malignant tumors in men. Currently, about 30,000 people in the country are living with the diagnosis.

Urologists warn that prostate cancer often develops without symptoms in its early stages, making a sense of well-being a potentially misleading reason to delay testing. Screening is also recommended for men starting at age 45 if they have a family history of the disease. Experts stress that the primary objective is to detect high-risk tumors early while reducing over-diagnosis.