AUA 2026 Amendment: Early Detection Guideline — Key Updates for Clinicians

The American Urological Association (AUA), in partnership with the Society of Urologic Oncology (SUO), announced a 2026 amendment to the Early Detection of Prostate Cancer Guideline that the organizations describe as updating recommendations across screening and biopsy-related pathways. The GlobeNewswire press release states the amendment contains 35 recommendations and highlights update areas spanning prostate-specific antigen (PSA) screening, digital rectal examination (DRE), MRI before biopsy, biomarkers, re-screening intervals, and repeat biopsy considerations. It also frames the amendment as a reference addressing initial and repeat biopsies and biopsy techniques in the early-detection setting.

One of the first changes the press release enumerates is newly added content related to DRE. In the same list of updates, the release also states that the amendment includes new information on 5-alpha reductase inhibitors. The announcement does not characterize these additions as changing a particular clinical step; instead, it presents them as new information incorporated into the amended guideline text. In the release, both items appear as part of the broader set of amendment update areas.

MRI-related edits are also emphasized in the press release’s update list. Specifically, the release states that the amendment adds new information on the use of MRI prior to initial biopsy and includes updated text for Statement 16 addressing systematic biopsy. The announcement does not provide patient selection criteria or operational thresholds for MRI in the text it summarizes, and it describes the revisions at the level of “new information” and “updated text.” In the release’s framing, MRI is presented as a diagnostic-workflow element referenced alongside biopsy approach statements.

For biomarkers, the press release describes both statement-level and table-level revisions within the amendment. It reports updated text for Statement 17 on the use of biomarkers for risk stratification, paired with “Table 6 updates” describing available biomarker assays. The release does not enumerate individual assays in its summary, but it highlights the table update as a change to supporting materials accompanying biomarker guidance.

Several follow-up and decision points are also singled out in the press release as having been updated within the amendment. The release reports updated text for Statement 7 addressing personalizing re-screening intervals, and it also describes an updated Statement 28 to include repeat biopsy with an upgraded recommendation strength (Moderate Recommendation, Grade C) and updated supporting text. In addition, the release states that Statement 35 received an upgraded evidence level grade to Grade B, again with updated supporting text, and it notes updated content in the Future Directions section on emerging data in MRI and other imaging technologies.

Key Takeaways:

• The press release describes a 2026 AUA/SUO guideline amendment addressing PSA screening, initial and repeat biopsies, and biopsy techniques, along with a defined set of updated topic areas.
• Among the diagnostic-pathway updates highlighted in the release are revised MRI-related text (including pre–initial biopsy MRI and systematic biopsy statements) and updated biomarker statement and table content.
• The release reports updated follow-up and biopsy decision statements (Statements 7 and 28) along with an evidence-grade upgrade for Statement 35.