September is Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, making it the perfect time to highlight advances in how prostate cancer is diagnosed and managed. PSMA PET/CT is transforming prostate cancer care by improving how cancer is staged, restaged, and managed. But many patients haven’t heard of it—or don’t realize how it could impact their treatment. Here’s what you need to know:
1. A Game-Changer for Early Detection
PSMA PET/CT is more accurate than traditional CT and bone scans. In a detailed clinical trial, it showed 92% accuracy, compared to 65% with conventional imaging. It helped change treatment plans in nearly 1 in 3 cases.
This scan uses a tracer that binds to receptors on prostate cancer cells, making it easier to detect small or early signs of spread—especially when PSA is rising after treatment or in newly diagnosed patients with intermediate- to high-risk disease.
Key takeaway: PSMA PET/CT identifies cancer earlier and more accurately than older scan methods—making it easier to plan the right treatment.
2. A Newer Imaging Option Patients Should Ask About
PSMA PET/CT was FDA-approved in 2020 and is still being adopted into routine practice. While it's gaining ground, not all providers automatically recommend it—so asking about it can make a difference.
It’s often used in place of CT or bone scans to stage or restage prostate cancer, particularly in more advanced cases. It’s also helpful when other scans come back negative or unclear but PSA levels are rising, or clinical suspicion remains.
Key takeaway: This scan may not be automatically offered, so it’s smart to ask your doctor if it’s right for your phase of care.
3. Insurance Coverage Can Differ by Location
Your out-of-pocket cost may depend on where your scan is done:
- Hospital-based centers may bundle costs in a way that increases patient responsibility.
- Independent Diagnostic Testing Facilities (IDTFs) like Shields often bill the radiotracer separately under Medicare Part B—leading to lower or no out-of-pocket costs (aside from standard coinsurance).
Many patients are unaware of this distinction until after they’re billed.
Key takeaway: Medicare may cover more of the cost at independent imaging centers like Shields—so ask about where your scan will be performed.
4. Advanced Imaging Without the TravelPSMA PET/CT isn’t available at every imaging center—but Shields offers it at 18 locations across New England, making advanced care more accessible.
You don’t have to travel to a major hospital to get leading-edge prostate imaging.
Key takeaway: Shields brings expert-level imaging to your community—with 18 locations offering PSMA PET/CT across the region.
Sources:
Hofman MS et al., The Lancet, 2020 – ProPSMA trial
National Cancer Institute – PSMA PET-CT Improves Prostate Cancer Imaging: https://www.cancer.gov/news-events/cancer-currents-blog/2020/prostate-cancer-psma-pet-ct-metastasis
MedicareABC – Understanding Medicare Coverage for PSMA PET/CT Scans: https://medicareabc.com/understanding-medicare-coverage-for-psma-pet-ct-scans/
CMS – IDTF Guidelines: https://www.cms.gov/files/document/mln909060-independent-diagnostic-testing-facility.pdf
This article was created in collaboration with AI-assisted writing tools and reviewed by a board-certified physician editor.
