Prostate cancer remains one of the most common cancers among men, affecting approximately 1 in 8 during their lifetime. Early detection is critical, and while the PSA blood test has long been the standard for screening, a more advanced imaging technique—PSMA PET scanning—is emerging as a vital tool in managing the disease. In a recent discussion, Dr. Phillip Koo, Executive Vice President and Chief Medical Officer at the Prostate Cancer Foundation, and Bill, a prostate cancer survivor, shed light on the importance of PSMA testing and answered common questions about its role in care.
Dr. Koo emphasized that the PSMA test is not a screening tool but a diagnostic imaging method that uses a biomarker called prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) to detect whether cancer cells have spread beyond the prostate. This information is crucial for determining the most appropriate treatment path. "PSMA is so important with regards to detecting disease and also determining the appropriate treatments that patients should receive down the road," Dr. Koo explained. He noted that 80 to 90% of prostate cancer patients express this biomarker, making the test highly effective in guiding therapy decisions.
Bill, who was diagnosed 18 years ago, shared his personal experience with PSMA testing. After his initial diagnosis, he proactively sought information and discovered PSMA. "I took that to my doctor, and we decided that that would be a great course of action in our attack plan to this disease," he said. The test results gave him clarity about his condition, enabling him to work with his oncologist to craft a targeted treatment plan. Bill stressed the importance of being an active participant in one's care: "Information is power, and when you ask the questions and insist upon getting the right answers you want until you do get them is key to your success."
For men newly diagnosed or currently undergoing treatment, Dr. Koo advises speaking with a doctor about whether PSMA testing is appropriate. He encourages patients to educate themselves and advocate for the test, as knowing one's PSMA status can significantly impact treatment decisions. "Patients need to speak up, and they also need to be heard," he said. "In order to accomplish this, patients need to go out and learn as much about this as possible, because that'll allow them to feel empowered to have those conversations."
More information about PSMA testing is available at GetYourScan.com, a resource that explains the scan and how to discuss it with healthcare providers. This educational initiative, sponsored by Novartis, aims to empower patients to take charge of their prostate cancer journey.
