One of the most powerful ways doctors are reimagining prostate cancer care is through biomarkers—measurable signals found in blood, body fluids, or tissue that reveal what is happening inside the body. These clues can indicate if a disease is present, how it is behaving, and whether it is progressing, helping health care professionals make more informed decisions about monitoring and treatment. For men, understanding these markers can turn vague worry into concrete information.
A familiar name for many is PSA, or prostate-specific antigen. PSA is a protein produced by both normal and cancerous prostate cells and can be measured with a simple blood test. It has been used in prostate cancer testing since the 1980s and is often one of the first markers men hear about when discussing screening with their doctor. While PSA does not tell the whole story, it can be an important starting point in identifying changes that may need further investigation.
Another key biomarker is PSMA, or prostate-specific membrane antigen. PSMA is highly expressed in more than 80% of people with prostate cancer and can be detected using advanced imaging such as PSMA PET/CT. This noninvasive test, which involves a small tracer injection, helps reveal whether prostate cancer has spread and where in the body it is located.
Things to know: biomarkers do not replace conversations with your doctor—they enhance them. Call to action: if you or a man you care about is at risk or already diagnosed, ask the health care team about PSA and PSMA testing and what those results really mean. Share this article with the men in your life so they know what questions to ask.
