top of page

Screenshot 2025-03-21 10.29.26 AM.png

North Carolina Men's Health Drive

Join the fight for men's lives and against the men's health disparity.

Prostate Cancer Warriors Information Arsenal

Consider your tactical maneuvers and mount your strategic defense.

Assessing the Situation

(initial diagnosis)

Your biopsy results (Gleason Sum/Score, number and location of positive cores), clinical stage, and prostate specific antigen (PSA) test results and history should be available in your medical record . Ask for this information from the person that diagnosed you or from the place where you were diagnosed. This preliminary intel can be used as you consider your engagement strategy with your medical team. Please note that other factors may change the initial analysis.

Characteristics:

Gleason Sum/Score: 6(3+3)/Grade 1 and;
Less than 3 positive biopsy cores and;
Clinical Stage: T1 and;
PSA less than 10.

Initial Analysis - very low risk

Engagement Strategy - very low

Characteristics:

Gleason Sum/Score: 6(3+3)/Grade 1 and;
More than 3 positive biopsy core, but in less than ½ of 1 side of the prostate and;
Clinical Stage T1 and;
PSA less than 10.

Initial Analysis - low risk

Engagement Strategy - low

Characteristics:

Gleason Sum/Score: 7(3+4)/Grade 2 or;
More than ½ of 1 side of the prostate or;
Both sides of the prostate or;
Clinical Stage: T2 or;
PSA of 10-20.

Initial Analysis - intermediate (favorable) risk

Engagement Strategy - intermediate favorable

Characteristics:

Gleason Sum/Score: 7(4+3)/Grade 3 or;
More than ½ of 1 side of the prostate and/or;
Both sides of the prostate or;
Clinical Stage: T2 or;
PSA of 10-20.

Initial Analysis - intermediate (unfavorable) risk

Engagement Strategy - intermediate unfavorable

Characteristics:

Gleason Sum/Score: 8-9/Grade
4-5 or;
Clinical Stage: T3 or;
PSA of more than 20.

Initial Analysis - high risk

Engagement Strategy - high

Characteristics:

Gleason Sum/Score: (5+5)10/Grade 5 and/or;
Clinical Stage T4.

Initial Analysis - very high risk

Engagement Strategy - very high

Characteristics:

Cancer has spread to nearby organs and/or lymph nodes (invading).
Clinical Stage N1-N3.

Initial Analysis - regional spread

Engagement Strategy - regional

Characteristics:

Cancer has spread to distant parts of the body (taking over).
Clinical Stage: M1.

Initial Analysis - distant spread/metastasis

Engagement Strategy - metastatic

Clinical trials usually compare today's "standard of care" to promising new treatment approaches that may become tomorrow's "standard of care." Click here to learn more and/or to find out about what trials may be available to you based on your risk and location.

When Additional Treatment is Needed or Cancer Returns

Biochemical recurrence (after surgery)

Biochemical progression (after radiation)

Advancing

(hormone sensitive)

(non-hormone sensitive)

Take a Quick Tour of Some of the Tests Used to Initially Assess Your Risk

Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA)

Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA)

This test looks for the amount of PSA, a protein made by the prostate, is in your blood. It is measured in nanograms per milliliter (ng/mL).

Digital Rectal Exam (DRE)

Digital Rectal Exam (DRE)

The purpose of the DRE is to feel for lumps and nodules (similar concept to a clinical breast exam).

Gleason Sum/Score

Gleason Sum/Score

Two grades are added together. The total will be between 6 and 10.

Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA)

Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA)

This test looks for the amount of PSA, a protein made by the prostate, is in your blood. It is measured in nanograms per milliliter (ng/mL).

1/5

Click on the slide above if you would like to click through all 5 slides in full screen.

bottom of page