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Prostate Screening
Decision
Guide
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The Pre-Survey
Please answer a few questions about your health, insurance and how often you see a health care provider (doctor, nurse or other health professional).
Please watch this video
The Doctor Check-Up
We'd like to know if the information in this video affects your thoughts on prostate screening.
Thanks for participating!

The Prostate Screening Decision Guide cannot predict if you will get cancer. It estimates your chances and offers tips for early detection (screening) and reducing your risk. But just because you follow the tips does not guarantee you will be healthy. Your health is the result of many factors, some of which are not yet fully understood.

The Prostate Screening Decision Guide is an interactive educational tool created by Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and its licensor for informational purposes only. It does not provide medical advice or services. Do not use the content to make a diagnosis, treat a health problem or replace a doctor’s decision.

The Prostate Screening Decision Guide does not take the place of regular medical check-ups. If you have any concerns about your health, talk to a doctor. Do not disregard or delay seeking medical advice because of something you read on this web site.

The information in this educational tool is a summary intended to provide a broad understanding of cancer prevention. Neither Dana-Farber Cancer Institute nor its licensor makes any warranty as to the usefulness or completeness of the information.

Neither Dana-Farber Cancer Institute nor its licensor is responsible for any damages or losses that result from misuse of this Prostate Screening Decision Guide.

Permission to reproduce, transmit, distribute or display any content from this tool requires prior written consent from Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.

All content in this tool is protected by copyright law.

Are You At Risk?
To estimate your risk of prostate cancer and learn about ways to lower that risk, take a few minutes to answer some questions about your health, background, and lifestyle.
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Your Risk
Anyone can get cancer, including people at low risk. Avoiding risk factors doesn't guarantee good health. And having one or even several risk factors doesn't always lead to cancer. Even though scientists understand many of the factors that put people at risk, these factors may only account for part of the disease. Other factors are still unknown.
It's Your Decision
This section prompts you to consider how you want to interact with your doctor. It can help you prepare for your real decision.
Step 1
What are your options?
Let’s look at your choices again. At this point in time, which of these options best describes you.
You're pretty sure you want to get the PSA test
You're pretty sure you don’t want to get the PSA test, at least for now
You need more time to decide
Step 2
How do you make decisions?
It's important to talk to your doctor about this decision, but people have their own style of decision-making. Think about how you typically like to make decisions. There's no right or wrong way. Which of these options best describes you?
You're the kind of person who likes to make health decisions on their own
You prefer to share responsibility for the decision with your doctor
You prefer your doctor make a decision after considering your opinion
You want the doctor to make the decision for you
Step 3
Know Your Risk
If there's anything you'd like to know more about, ask your Health Educator. If you can't find answers to your questions, make a note and bring it to your doctor visit. One thing that many men wonder about is their own personal risk. If you haven't taken our Risk Assessment, you can do it now or try it later.
Step 4
What is important to you?
There are some reasons why getting a screening could be a good idea. There are also reasons why screening might not be a good idea. Weighing the pros and cons is a critical step. Tell us which of the following issues you think are important. Choose as many as you want.
Weighing the Pros and Cons
Screening shows your family you care
A normal screening result could offer peace of mind
It is important to you to take action
Finding cancer early is worth any possible side effect
Screening results could be wrong
Results could lead to unnecessary or painful results
Some treatments can lead to impotence and incontinence
Screening is not proven to help men live longer
Step 5
Your Next Steps
  • Review your decisions from this program
  • Talk it over with your wife, partner, friend or family member
  • Make a doctor’s appointment
  • Discuss this decision with your doctor
  • Ask your health care provider for more information
Learn More
The Post-Survey
Please answer a few last questions to see if the information in this program has changed how you think about prostate screening.
Tips For Women
If you’re a woman with a loved one or family member who is considering PSA testing, here are tips from women who were in the same situation.
Tip #1:  Educate yourself...and him

Prostate cancer is an important issue for all men, but especially for African-American men. African-American men have a higher risk of developing prostate cancer. Talk about it with the men in your life.

Screening for prostate cancer is complicated, but when you have the facts, you and your loved one will know what’s involved. You and he can discuss the benefits and limitations of screening tests. Our main menu has a listing of reliable sites where you can learn more.

As you know, women are often the ones who look after their loved ones’ health. You can be an important source of information for him. You play an important role by helping him find—and sort through—information, and by encouraging him to talk with his doctor. You likely know your loved one better than anyone else, so you probably have a good sense of how much he already knows and what questions or concerns he may have.

Tip #2:  Help him advocate for himself

Encourage him to open up to his doctor about his concerns. Some people have a hard time asking questions at the doctor’s office.  Remember that doctors usually expect that you’ll ask questions and they want to help. Having a meaningful conversation with your doctor is a good way to be involved in your health care. Tell your loved one that communicating with his provider is the way to get the best care possible.

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Tip #3:  Be supportive

We all know that men and women are different—especially when it comes to health care! Many men are reluctant to go the doctor at all, let alone ask questions and express their concerns or preferences. Many men feel that asking questions and expressing concerns are a sign of weakness. It may help to create a list of questions with him before he goes to the doctor. Ask him if he’d like you to go with him to his appointment. Let him know that you care and are ready to stand by his side if he needs your support.

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Thanks!
We hope this Decision Guide has helped to you think about the important decisions surrounding prostate screening.
Pre-survey answers:


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Post-survey answers: