Results

Score: 9 and above

Risk: High Risk

Explanation: Men in this category are at the highest risk for developing prostate cancer, and are advised to discuss their medical history with their primary care physician, and consider screening for prostate cancer via a digital rectal examination (DRE) and prostate specific antigen (PSA) test. Opinions vary among those in the scientific and medical communities as to who should consider screening. The American Cancer Society, American Urological Association and National Comprehensive Cancer Network all recommend that all men 50 and older who have a life expectancy of at least 10 years consider having an annual prostate-cancer screening. Other groups, such as the American Academy of Family Physicians, do not recommend routine screening, while the American Medical Association says that a patient and his physician should decide together whether or not he should be screened, based on the individual patient's risk factors. Part of the reason for this hesitancy is due to the high number of false positives associated with the PSA test, frequent slow tumor growth, and treatment methods which have not been perfected. Nevertheless, men in this group are advised to discuss prostate cancer and possible testing with their doctors.