Fig. 1: Overview of the Montreal Prostate Cancer Model. Men at a specified age (A) who are free of prostate cancer are entered into the model, and their risk of cancer being diagnosed over the following year is estimated. Among those diagnosed with prostate cancer, the choice of initial therapy is determined by disease stage, tumour grade and tumour volume. Each therapeutic option is associated with morbidity and mortality risks. Those with prostate cancer who die of the disease or of other causes are removed from the model. All men without prostate cancer remain at risk of non-cancer-related death. After 1 year all survivors are re-entered into the model at age A+1. Those who had undergone initial treatments may receive follow-up therapies or palliative care, or both. N+ = nodal metastasis, M+ = distant metastasis, PC = prostate cancer.