How can a prognostic test inform care plans for a patient with prostate cancer? Richard Tyus and his urologist worked together to find out.

Elevated PSA levels warning

Richard Tyus attended a routine doctor’s visit thinking it would be drama-free as usual. At only 59, he was in relatively good health and had no symptoms to be concerned about. But it was there he learned about his elevated PSA, or prostate-specific antigen, thanks to a routine blood test.

Elevated PSA levels can sometimes indicate higher risk of prostate cancer and may need further assessment. Richard was referred to a urologist, Dr. Brian Richardson, for prostate cancer evaluation.

A prostate cancer diagnosis

Dr. Richardson determined the best course of action was to proceed with a prostate biopsy and test the tissue sample for cancer. Richard’s biopsy results came back positive – and he was diagnosed with prostate cancer. This came as a shock to Richard, because he had no history of cancer in his family. After hearing he had cancer, he decided to get a second opinion. The second doctor recommended radiation and hormone therapy as two forms of treatment.

“There are times when you hear different things from different people, and you want some clarity. Any decision you make in life is going to be based on the amount of information you have. If your information is no good, your decisions are no good,” said Richard after receiving the second opinion.

The best prostate cancer treatment option

Richard wanted to fully understand all his options – and be confident in his decision. With a few treatment recommendations already in his back pocket, he took matters into his own hands and started researching prostate cancer and prostate cancer treatments.

He found he qualified for the Myriad Prolaris® Prostate Cancer Prognostic Test because he hadn’t yet received any treatment. Prolaris is a genetic test developed by Myriad that directly measures tumor cell growth. The test paired with both PSA and Gleason provides the level of aggressiveness of a patient’s individual prostate cancer. Richard liked the idea that it could inform his treatment with more insightful data and help determine how aggressive his cancer might be.

After providing his contact information on the Prolaris.com website, Richard spoke with Myriad Customer Service. “I can say it was one of the most important phone calls I’ve ever gotten in my life,” Richard stated, after he got off the phone with the Myriad representative who helped him get the Prolaris test ordered by his doctor.

Dr. Richardson ordered the Prolaris test for Richard and said, “The test helps answer what I think is the most important question when a patient is diagnosed with prostate cancer, and that is the choice between active surveillance versus active treatment.”

A cancer treatment decision and peace of mind

Based on Richard’s Prolaris results, he was a candidate for a single form of treatment. “The Prolaris test results gave me all the confidence that I needed…this test really changed my life.”

Richard hopes his story will help men facing similar experiences. He urges them to consider genetic testing for ideal treatment decisions and to work closely with their physician for the best medical management options.

Request a patient guide to learn more about Prolaris