Is active surveillance safe for prostate cancer?
Whether you and your physician have been actively monitoring your prostate cancer risk for weeks or months, you could consider prostate cancer marker tests to provide you with more information.
While it might feel like you’re just sitting on the sidelines right now, these tissue-based tests can be performed on the prostate biopsy you previously had and give you peace of mind or inform future decisions.
Decipher
Also known as Decipher Biopsy, this genomic test analyzes individual tumor aggressiveness and combines it with an individual’s clinically validated prostate cancer-specific mortality risk and personal risk of metastasis.
Prolaris Score
The Prolaris Score for prostate cancer analyzes the biology of the prostate cancer tumor as well as how fast the cells in the tumor are dividing (cancer aggressiveness).
Genomic Prostate Score
GPS is a powerful test for men with organ confined prostate cancer looking for more insights about whether or not to pursue treatment or an active surveillance protocol.
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If you have not had a biopsy and are in the watchful waiting stage based on your initial PSA, DRE, or other tests, consider the PCMs and genetic tests highlighted in the PSA Testing point of the prostate cancer journey.
Active Surveillance FAQs
As you are in the active surveillance phase of monitoring your prostate cancer, you may have questions about PCMs, genetic testing, and more. Below is an initial list of frequently asked questions.
If you are in the active surveillance stage and wondering about getting more insights into your prostate cancer, these tissue-based tests can be performed on the prostate biopsy you previously had. Results can give you peace of mind or inform your next move.
If you have not had a biopsy and are in the watchful waiting stage based on your initial PSA, DRE, or other tests, consider the PCMs and genetic tests highlighted in Waypoint 1 of the prostate cancer journey.
Prostate cancer biomarkers (PCMs) are molecules found in blood, tissue, or body fluids. PCMs are revolutionary new, non-invasive diagnostic tests that may help your healthcare provider decide if your prostate cancer is in fact low risk, if something more aggressive may be lurking in your prostate, or if there are hot spots in the prostate that may need to be re-evaluated upon biopsy. PCMs also can help you and your healthcare provider determine the most appropriate treatment for your cancer.
There are many factors that will make one prostate cancer marker test better suited for individual cases. Many times, individuals who have never had a biopsy or had low to intermediate grade prostate cancer (Gleason 3+3=6 or 3+4=7) diagnosed on a biopsy are well suited for blood or urine prostate cancer markers, whereas individuals who have persistently negative biopsies or a biopsy of intermediate to high grade cancer may benefit from tissue prostate cancer markers. Use this interactive questionnaire to see what tests may be right for you. Once you’ve completed the questionnaire, discuss the results with your healthcare provider. Also be sure to check out our Patient Journey section that may help you decide which test is right for you.