The Prostate Cancer Risk Calculator has been designed to help you, and the health professionals looking after you. There are eight different calculators and the first two are designed for individual use without any medical knowledge.
Risk Calculator 1
You can first assess your
general risk by using Risk Calculator 1 (no PSA result available) which takes into account
your age, family history and urinary symptoms.
Start with your medical history
With this calculator, all you will need to give is your age and any problems you are having with urination. It will also ask you about whether your immediate relatives (brother, father or uncle on your father's or mother's side) have suffered from prostate cancer. Don’t worry if you don’t know if anyone in your family has suffered from prostate cancer, just put "No" in the table.
What is PSA and why is it important?
Risk Calculator 2
You may already have had a
simple test to measure the level of prostate specific antigen (PSA) in your blood. The chance of
having prostate cancer goes up as the level increases. Once you know your PSA level, you can then
use Risk Calculator 2 (using your PSA result). It will help you make a more informed decision
about whether it would be wise to undergo further tests.
Prostate disease
Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) is normally quite low. However, an elevated PSA does not mean you have cancer. Raised test results might indicate a disorder inside the prostate, whether inflammation in the prostate gland (prostatitis), benign hyperplasia or cancer. The PSA test cannot distinguish between them, but can be a reason for your doctor to investigate more thoroughly.
If the prostate becomes enlarged too much it can stop urine flow, making urination painful and more difficult. Prostatitis can usually be treated with antibiotic prescription medications, massage of the prostate or even surgery. In older men, the prostate may grow to the point where urination becomes difficult or impossible. This is referred to as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).
Even if your PSA is higher than normal, it does not mean you have prostate cancer, because other diseases of the prostate may increase its level. It is important to know that some cancers are slow growing, cause minimal symptoms and are not life threatening.
Disclaimer
Please be aware that the Prostate Cancer Risk Calculator cannot be 100% accurate at predicting the presence or absence of prostate cancer. It is designed to help calculate your risk, not give a definitive diagnosis.
Risk Calculator 1 provides a more general risk calculation based on age, family history and any urinary symptoms. It will help you decide whether to go for further tests.
If you know your PSA level then you can use Risk Calculator 2. While knowing your PSA level is helpful, the decision to have a PSA test has to be taken seriously after weighing up all factors and discussing the implications with your GP or hospital doctor.
It is possible that prostate cancer will not be found even if you have an elevated PSA. However, it may be present even if your PSA level is low.
When the result of the first two calculators are known, your doctor may want to take further tests, including using the six more specialised risk calculators. If you have doubts or questions about your health, you should always contact your GP or hospital doctor. This is particularly important if you have questions which arise from the use of one or more of the prostate cancer risk calculators.
It cannot be ruled out that the way the Prostate Cancer Risk Calculator is used, or the indications given by it, are interpreted in a manner that is not appropriate. The creators of the Prostate Cancer Risk Calculator do not accept any responsibility in any respect.
