PSA Testing - NHS Decision Aid

NHS Decision Aid to help people PSA testing for prostate cancer

This decision aid is for men who are considering having a test to find out more about their risk of having prostate cancer. The prostate specific antigen (PSA) test can tell you if you have a raised chance of prostate cancer.

Traditionally people relied upon their Healthcare Professionals to make the decision regarding the most appropriate course of action.

Patient decision aids are a useful tool when there is a decision to be made about medical advice from the Healthcare Professional but also incorporating the patients’ preferences and concerns.

In order to enable patients to reach a decision in partnership with their Healthcare Professional it is important that they have access to information about the different treatment options and have the opportunity to work through the information and evaluate the risks and benefits when viewed in conjunction with their personal values and preferences.

This patient decision aid assists patients to progress through it in an ordered fashion, having a number of distinct elements to the decision making process which support the patient in reaching a provisional decision which they can then discuss with their Healthcare Professional.

The aid provides information about PSA Testing in order to facilitate better understanding of what is happening in the body as a result of this condition. The description is supported by an animation and demonstrates how the disease or condition progresses.