What Prostate Cancer Tests Do I Need?
New types of tests can help guide prostate cancer diagnosis and treatment — but that also means more to keep track of. Use this resource to learn which tests may be recommended at every stage.
Hover over or tap each tile to learn more. See definitions of each test at the bottom of the page.
Early Detection
Getting Answers
Your Treatment Path
When Things Change
Throughout Your Journey
Remember: This resource is a starting point. Your health care team may recommend testing at an earlier or later stage. Talk to your doctor about what’s right for you.
Words to Know
A simple blood test that measures your level of prostate-specific antigen (PSA), a protein made by the prostate gland. A PSA level above 3–4 ng/mL (or 2.5 ng/mL for men in their 40s) is typically considered high. After treatment, PSA levels are checked regularly to see whether cancer is returning.
Looks for areas of the prostate (and the area around it) that might contain cancer. If a biopsy is needed, MRI can guide where samples are taken.
Look at proteins or genetic material to help decide whether a biopsy is needed.
Examples: Percent free PSA, PSA density, Prostate Health Index (PHI), 4Kscore, SelectMDx, ExoDx Prostate Test, MyProstateScore (MPS), MPS 2, Stockholm3, IsoPSA
Look at prostate tissue, urine, or blood to help decide whether a repeat biopsy is needed after an initial negative result.
Examples: Percent free PSA, 4Kscore, PHI, ConfirmMDx, ExoDx Prostate Test, MPS, MPS 2, IsoPSA
Used for lower-risk prostate cancers. You get regular checks and only start treatment if your cancer starts to grow or change. This approach lets you avoid or delay treatment side effects while keeping a close eye on the cancer.
Looks at the genetic material and/or proteins in tumor tissue from a biopsy or surgery. This gives more information about how fast the cancer is likely to grow and spread and may help guide treatment decisions.
If you have radiation therapy, testing may help show if you should also receive hormone therapy (ADT). If you have surgery, testing prostate tissue may help show if you need additional treatment.
Examples: Decipher Prostate, ArteraAI Prostate Test
Tests your blood or saliva for gene changes (such as BRCA) that run in families. This can give information about how your cancer might progress and help guide treatment decisions.
Checks to see if prostate cancer has spread from your prostate to other parts of your body — including your lymph nodes, bones, and organs. PSMA PET detects a protein called PSMA (Prostate-Specific Membrane Antigen) found on prostate cancer cells. It is more sensitive and precise than older imaging methods. If PSMA PET is unavailable, your doctor can order a CT scan (to check your lymph nodes and organs), together with a bone scan.
Looks for specific changes in the DNA and proteins of your tumor cells that can drive tumor growth. For some patients, it can help guide treatment decisions. This test uses tumor tissue from a prostate biopsy or surgery. If tumor tissue is unavailable, a blood sample can be tested for circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA).
This resource was produced with support from
