Prostate Cancer

Prostate Cancer

Reimagining medicine today for better prostate cancer care outcomes tomorrow

A man and woman embracing

Novartis aims to extend and improve the lives of men with prostate cancer. Fueled by innovative science and strengthened by collaboration with patients, physicians and communities, our mission is to reimagine medicine and improve outcomes for patients.

By listening to patients, families, and the broader cancer community, we deepen our understanding of their needs, guiding research to develop new ways to target the disease and improve outcomes.

We understand that prostate cancer is more than just a diagnosis—it’s a life-changing journey that brings uncertainty, tough decisions, and emotional challenges. People living with or caring for someone with prostate cancer don’t have to face it alone.

Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer among men, after skin cancer. In 2025, it is estimated that about 35,770 men will die from the disease—nearly 100 men each day1.

We believe the future can be different, and it’s time to change these statistics because they represent the lives of real people.

Prostate cancer is a family disease. For the men and families touched by prostate cancer, each day brings new challenges. For those facing advanced forms like metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC), the road ahead often feels even more uncertain.


What is mCRPC?

Metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) is an advanced form of prostate cancer that has spread to other parts of the body and no longer responds to hormone therapy.

Knowing more about mCRPC can guide treatment discussions and decisions.

 

The power of speaking up—for yourself or someone you love

Too often, men stay silent when dealing with a prostate cancer diagnosis. Asking questions, learning about treatment options, and understanding key factors like biomarkers can help families feel more in control.

Think of it this way: Learning is like adding tools to your toolkit—the more knowledge you have, the better prepared you are to make choices with confidence.

Not sure where to start? We’re here to help.

There are many resources and strategies available to help feel informed, supported, and in control throughout the journey.

Here are some suggestions to guide the way:

  1. Have honest conversations with loved ones for support and clarity: Care partners—whether it’s a spouse, friend, or family member—play a crucial role in providing strength and support, making it easier to speak up and advocate while navigating the prostate cancer journey.
  2. Connect with advocacy groups: Patient advocacy groups offer valuable resources, emotional support, and connections with others who understand what the prostate cancer journey, providing understanding and encouragement.
  3. Talk to your doctor about biomarker testing: If you have advanced prostate cancer, ask the doctor about PSMA (prostate-specific membrane antigen) status. Biomarker testing provides important insights that can help personalize a treatment plan, tailoring it to the specific situation and needs.
  4. Feel empowered—your voice matters: Ask the doctor questions, explore options, and share preferences. Understanding all the available treatments and feeling confident in choices can help take charge of your or your loved one’s care.

 

Two men sitting on a couch

Understanding PSMA and its role in advanced prostate cancer

A PSA (prostate-specific antigen) test is routine for many men over a certain age, and many are familiar with this common blood test for measuring risk of prostate cancer. Fewer people have heard of PSMA.

PSMA is a protein found on prostate cancer cells and if you have advanced prostate cancer, knowing if your cells have PSMA can impact the decision about what’s next. Doctors use a PSMA-PET scan to see if PSMA is present and where the cancer has spread. More than 80% of people with advanced prostate cancer are PSMA-positive (PSMA+)2, making PSMA-PET scans—and asking about PSMA status—an important step in making informed decisions with a healthcare team.

Learn more about PSMA at ScanforPSMA.com.

Advancing access in communities who need it most – Blitz The Barriers Initiative

Novartis is proud to be the Lead Founding Partner for ZERO Prostate Cancer’s Blitz The Barriers initiative, which aims to save lives and improve outcomes for people with prostate cancer in communities where resources are most needed.

A doctor seated in his office, engaged in an earnest conversation with an older patient. The doctor gestures expressively as he explains information, while the patient listens intently, seated comfortably. The office environment is professional yet inviting.

Committed to Advancing Prostate Cancer

Learn about a bold new partnership helping to reshape the future of cancer care for communities in need.

Novartis has been dedicated to advancing cancer care for decades, and we’re not stopping. Our purpose extends beyond innovation with medicine. Through education, collaboration, and community investment, we’re committed to providing the resources and guidance needed to navigate the prostate cancer journey.

References:

  1. American Cancer Society. Key Statistics for Prostate Cancer. https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/prostate-cancer/about/key-statistics.html. Accessed March 21, 2025.
  2. Hupe MC, Philippi C, Roth D, et al. Expression of Prostate-Specific Membrane Antigen (PSMA) on Biopsies Is an Independent Risk Stratifier of Prostate Cancer Patients at Time of Initial Diagnosis. Front Oncol. 2018 Dec 20;8:623. doi: 10.3389/fonc.2018.00623. PMID: 30619757; PMCID: PMC630741
  3. National Cancer Institute. Cancer Stat Facts: Prostate Cancer. https://seer.cancer.gov/statfacts/html/prost.html. Accessed March 21, 2025. 
  4. Moreira DM, Howard LE, Sourbeer KN, et al. Predicting Time From Metastasis to Overall Survival in Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer: Results From SEARCH. Clin Genitourin Cancer. 2017 Feb;15(1):60-66.e2. doi: 10.1016/j.clgc.2016.08.018. Epub 2016 Aug 31. PMID: 27692812; PMCID: PMC5536956. 
  5. Siegel RL, Miller KD, Wagle NS, Jemal A. Cancer statistics, 2023. CA Cancer J Clin. 2023;73(1):17-48. doi:10.3322/caac.21763
  6. UroToday. The Current State of Treatment Implementation for mCRPC in North America. https://www.urotoday.com/library-resources/advanced-prostate-cancer/147780-the-current-state-of-treatment-implementation-for-mcrpc-in-north-america.html. Accessed March 21, 2025.

Source URL: https://prod1.novartis.com/us-en/patients-and-caregivers/diseases/prostate-cancer

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  1. https://prod1.novartis.com/us-en/us-en/patients-and-caregivers/diseases/prostate-cancer
  2. #paragraph--19606
  3. #paragraph--19606
  4. https://ancan.org/
  5. https://www.naspcc.org/
  6. https://www.pcf.org/
  7. https://pcri.org/
  8. https://www.prostateconditions.org/
  9. https://www.prostatehealthed.org/index.html
  10. https://zerocancer.org/
  11. https://prod1.novartis.com/us-en//www.scanforpsma.com/?utm_source=online-article&utm_mlr=fa-11389117&utm_medium=digital-media&utm_campaign=online-article_unbranded_pc-landing-page_may-2025&utm_content=plu_mcrpc_patient-caregiver_novartis_main-body-cta-scan-for-psma_scan-for-psma
  12. https://www.scanforpsma.com/?utm_source=online-article&utm_mlr=fa-11389117&utm_medium=digital-media&utm_campaign=online-article_unbranded_pc-landing-page_may-2025&utm_content=plu_mcrpc_patient-caregiver_novartis_main-body-cta-scan-for-psma_scan-for-psma
  13. https://www.novartis.com/us-en/stories/advancing-prostate-cancer-care-a-bold-new-partnership-helping-patients?utm_source=online-article&utm_mlr=fa-11389117&utm_medium=digital-media&utm_campaign=online-article_unbranded_pc-landing-page_may-2025&utm_content=plu_mcrpc_patient-caregiver_novartis_main-body-cta-zero-n.com-story_zero-n.com-story
  14. https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/prostate-cancer/about/key-statistics.html
  15. https://seer.cancer.gov/statfacts/html/prost.html
  16. https://www.urotoday.com/library-resources/advanced-prostate-cancer/147780-the-current-state-of-treatment-implementation-for-mcrpc-in-north-america.html