When prostate cancer is detected early, there is a nearly 100 percent 5-year survival rate compared to just 34% if it has spread. Sadly, due to changes in screening guidelines implemented in 2012, fewer men are being screened. This has led to double the number of cases being diagnosed after the cancer has spread when it is harder to treat, according to the American Cancer Society. Start by asking your primary care provider for a Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) test. You may get pushback because of the outdated screening guidelines. But new tests, called biomarkers, tell us more and can prevent unnecessary biopsies. PSA test is a great screening tool, but a high PSA test doesn’t always tell the entire story or warrant a biopsy right away. New prostate cancer biomarker tests are blood and urine tests that look for molecules that indicate if a man has prostate cancer or a benign condition, determine how aggressive prostate cancer may be and whether and how it should be treated. Biomarker testing is used in many other types of cancers to precisely determine when and how to treat the cancer. These tests are new to prostate cancer so not many men — and even many doctors — don’t know about them or the critical insights they provide. Patients and their providers can learn more about these tests at pcmarkers.com. I recommend PSA testing, followed by biomarker testing if necessary, for all men over 50. Earlier screening is important for men with risk factors, including a family history of prostate cancer, ethnicity (prostate cancer is more prevalent in Black men) and genetic changes. 1 in 4 Black men will get prostate cancer. Black men are 2-4 times more likely to die from prostate cancer than men of any other racial or ethnic groups, making it extra important for them to get screened early. Aditya Bagrodia, MD, is a board-certified urologist who specializes in detecting, treating and preventing genitourinary cancer. He is experienced in surgical and nonsurgical treatments for all urologic malignancies, including adrenal, upper tract, renal, bladder, prostate, penile and testicular cancers. He also has expertise in minimally invasive approaches to urologic surgery. He is dedicated to guiding his patients on a path that is best for them – both in terms of survival and quality of life – including navigating the latest treatments. "Is it appropriate and safe to wait and see if a tumor becomes aggressive? Or would it be better to proceed with surgery, radiation or participation in clinical trials of a new therapy? As we learn more about the nature of cancer, we can help each patient make highly personalized treatment decisions," he said. Whatever the particular condition and the ultimate treatment plan, he believes that a collaborative approach to care is essential. As an associate professor in the Department of Urology, Dr. Bagrodia trains medical students, residents and fellows at UC San Diego School of Medicine, where he leads the genitourinary disease team.