The PSA test cannot differentiate between prostate cancer and non-cancerous (benign) conditions, such as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Men who receive a PSA level above 1.5 ng/ML should discuss additional biomarker testing with their healthcare providers prior to considering a prostate biopsy.

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.

Although there are many factors that contribute to your healthcare provider’s decision to conduct a prostate biopsy, there are several urinary and blood based PCMs that may help guide you and your physician through the decision of conducting a prostate biopsy. These include:

• Select mdx
• 4K
• Prostate health index (phi)
• ExoDx

Genetic tests also may be worth considering if you have a family history of prostate cancer, breast cancer, ovarian cancer or colorectal cancer. These genetic tests are recommended for men who are determined through genetic counseling to be at potential risk for hereditary cancer:

• Prompt PGS
• Myriad myRisk
• ProstateNext
• Ambry Score

Men with a personal and/or family history of any of the following may benefit from the ProstateNext genetic test:

• early-onset (<50) of prostate cancer
• metastatic prostate cancer at any age
• more than 1 person in their family with prostate, pancreatic, breast or ovarian cancers
• multiple primary cancers in one person (e.g. prostate and male breast cancer)
• personal history of prostate cancer and more than 1 family member* with breast cancer (<50 years of age) and/or invasive ovarian cancer
• personal history of prostate cancer and >2 family members* with breast, pancreatic or prostate cancer

*on the same side of the family

The ProstateNext test analyzes a blood or saliva sample to provide a full gene sequencing and looks for the deletion/duplication of 14 genes (including BRCA1 and BRCA2).

Test results for ProstateNext are presented in the following fashion (please note that you should always consult with your healthcare provider when reviewing test results):

• Positive: A mutation was found in at least one of your genes tested. Your risk of developing prostate cancer may be at increased risk compared to others.
• Negative: No mutations were found in any of your genes tested.
• Variant of unknown significance (VUS): At least one genetic change was found, but it is not clear if this may lead to an increased risk of cancer.

See a sample ProstateNext test result report and learn more about how to interpret them.