Foundation Team
Medical Editor:
Richard M. Hoffman, MD, MPH
Clinical Advisors
Peter C. Albertsen, MD
Timothy J. Wilt, MD, MPH
Anthony L. Zietman, MD
Clinical Lead:
Ann MacDonald
A PSA test is often recommended for men over 50 and is one of America’s most common screening tests. To help men consider the pros and cons of prostate cancer screening, the Informed Medical Decisions Foundation has developed a Shared Decision-Making® program called Is a PSA Test Right for You?
The program is for men who are considering a PSA test to help detect signs of prostate cancer. The Foundation has developed separate programs about the treatment of early-stage prostate cancer and about decisions surrounding hormone therapy when the PSA rises following prostate cancer treatment.
This program describes the prostate, prostate cancer, tests for prostate cancer and the controversy over PSA tests. It also discusses the pros and cons of treatment for prostate cancer. Some men choose to have the PSA test because they would want treatment if cancer was found. Others choose not to have the test because they would not want to treat a cancer that might not harm them.
The goal of this program is to help men considering the PSA test make informed decisions with their doctors about whether a PSA test is right for them. It includes interviews with two physicians who made different choices about PSA testing for themselves.
This program was developed with our production partner, Health Dialog. It is available as a DVD, a booklet (also available in Spanish) and a web-based program (Health Crossroads®) for Health Dialog members.
