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Prostate Cancer Risk Calculator

Estimate prostate cancer risk based on PSA, age and family history.

Father, brother or son diagnosed with prostate cancer before age 65.

Age-adjusted PSA thresholds (Oesterling)

Age groupPSA upper limit (ng/mL)
40–492.5
50–593.5
60–694.5
70–796.5

How it works

This calculator uses age-adjusted PSA thresholds per Oesterling et al. (JAMA, 1993): 40–49 → 2.5, 50–59 → 3.5, 60–69 → 4.5, 70–79 → 6.5 ng/mL. Categories: PSA < threshold = low; threshold to 10 ng/mL = moderate (gray zone); 10–20 ng/mL = high; > 20 ng/mL = very high. A positive family history (father or brother diagnosed before age 65) roughly doubles the baseline risk and may shift a low result to moderate. This is a screening estimate — definitive diagnosis requires urological work-up with MRI and biopsy.

This calculator does not replace medical evaluation. With elevated PSA or a positive family history, see a urologist.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is PSA?+
Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) is a protein produced by prostate cells. Elevated values may indicate prostate cancer, benign hyperplasia (BPH) or prostatitis — a high value alone does not mean cancer.
At what age should I get tested?+
The American Urological Association recommends shared decision-making about PSA testing starting at age 50 for average-risk men, age 40–45 for those with a family history or African ancestry.
What does a PSA above 4 ng/mL mean?+
PSA between 4 and 10 ng/mL is the gray zone — about 25–30 % of these men have prostate cancer. MRI and possibly biopsy are indicated. Above 10 ng/mL the probability rises to 50–67 %.
How does family history change the risk?+
A first-degree relative (father, brother) diagnosed before age 65 roughly doubles your risk. With two affected relatives, the risk is roughly four-fold. Earlier screening from age 40–45 is recommended in those cases.
Why age-adjusted thresholds?+
The prostate enlarges with age, raising baseline PSA. Age-adjusted thresholds (Oesterling 1993) cut false-positives in older men and false-negatives in younger ones.
What happens with an abnormal value?+
Standard practice is to repeat the PSA, then perform a multiparametric MRI of the prostate. Targeted fusion biopsy is performed only if MRI shows a suspicious lesion — replacing the older blind systematic biopsy.

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Background

Prostate Cancer Risk: What Your PSA, Age and Family History Really Mean

8 min