The Super Bowl “Tight End” Ad Got People Talking. But They Missed Something.
February 6, 2026
If you watched the Super Bowl this year, you probably saw the “tight end” commercial – the one that used humor to make a serious point: more men need to get screened for prostate cancer.
On that message, I’m fully aligned, and it was a great way to open up the dialogue. If you do anything, get your PSA screening. Do something, not nothing.
But I also have a problem with what that commercial implied: that the solution to low screening rates is to lower the standard of care by encouraging PSA screening without the digital rectal exam (DRE).
In medicine, we should be educating patients toward good care, not pacifying “acceptable care.”
Yes, the PSA Test Matters
The PSA (prostate-specific antigen) test is a blood test that can help us detect prostate cancer earlier. It’s a preventive screening that can tell us a lot, even before symptoms appear. It’s not perfect, but it’s the best blood-based screening tool we currently have, and it’s absolutely part of responsible prostate cancer screening.
And you’re right: many men avoid screening because they’re worried about the rectal exam. That’s real. I get it. No one looks forward to it.
But here’s the deal. Avoiding screening isn’t the answer. And removing the DRE from the conversation isn’t either.
Why is a DRE so important? Keep reading.
The Ad Bungle
The ad got most of it right, and we do want more men getting screened. But here’s the crux of this story, what the commercial forfeited. PSA alone misses some cancers – especially some of the ones we worry about most.
PSA testing alone typically detects about 40% of prostate cancers.
The DRE alone can detect around 17-20% that might not be picked up on PSA.
Together, they provide a more complete screening picture.
That means if you only do a PSA and skip the exam, you could miss as much as 20% of prostate cancers. When we talk about screening, we’re trying to catch cancers early. Before they become dangerous.
And what concerns me most is this: the cancers detected by DRE alone often tend to be more aggressive. In other words, the very cancers you least want to miss are sometimes the ones you won’t find if you rely solely on PSA.
So yes, get your PSA checked. But don’t stop there.
Why Are We “Settling” Instead of Educating?
The commercial’s logic seemed to be: “Men won’t do the exam, so let’s just tell them to do the PSA.”
I understand the intention. Awareness matters. But we should be careful not to normalize incomplete care.
Here’s the comparison I made on air with WDUN:
It’s “acceptable” for someone to drive 90 mph down the road. But it’s not acceptable to the Hall County Police Department, and it’s not safe.
In healthcare, we shouldn’t decide what’s “good enough” based on what’s most comfortable. We should do what’s medically responsible and help people understand why.
Women don’t love mammograms. Women don’t love pelvic exams. And yet they do them because we’ve made it clear: this matters. It can save their life. Prostate screening deserves the same adult-level reasoning.
It’s Only 10 Seconds… Seriously.
The DRE is:
brief (honestly, only about 10 seconds)
performed professionally and respectfully
part of a complete assessment of prostate health
Is it uncomfortable? Sure.
Is it dangerous? No.
Is it worth it? Absolutely, especially if it helps detect an aggressive cancer early.
To partners and significant others: encourage your husband (or boyfriend) to get it done. I said it on the radio show, and I’ll say it here – your support matters.
PSA Isn’t Perfect, and Urologists Aren’t “Biopsy Happy”
There was a period of time when PSA screening was heavily criticized and even discouraged by some guideline-making organizations. It created confusion and, in my opinion, did real harm because it led to fewer men being screened.
Fortunately, we’ve seen more balanced recommendations return over time. The reality is PSA is not perfect, but it’s still valuable, and it works best when used as part of a complete screening approach, not in isolation.
Another important point: Urologists are not out here trying to biopsy everyone. In fact, we spend a lot of effort trying to avoid unnecessary biopsies.
Today, we have advanced options that can improve accuracy and reduce needless procedures, including:
Additional blood-based tests that can “augment” PSA by factoring in other risk markers (including certain genetic signals)
MRI of the prostate to better evaluate risk before biopsy
MRI-guided targeted biopsy when a biopsy is truly warranted
Modern prostate cancer screening is more thoughtful. An abnormal result doesn’t mean we run straight for the knife.
The sum of the parts is better than the individual pieces: PSA + DRE + history + modern risk tools = better care. Getting the DRE and a thorough medical history, in addition to PSA and imaging techniques, helps us make smarter, less invasive decisions.
Aim for Great Care, Not Just Acceptable Care
I’m glad the Super Bowl ad got people talking. I’m glad it raised awareness.
But let’s not lower the bar. Get your PSA checked and get the exam. Skipping a 10-second step could overlook a cancer you really don’t want to miss.
Ready to talk about prostate screening? We can help.
Georgia Urology offers prostate cancer screening and a full range of diagnostic options, including advanced testing and MRI-based evaluation when appropriate. We are also a case observation site for NanoKnife, a minimally invasive prostate cancer treatment that uses electrical pulses to destroy tumors while helping preserve sexual and urinary function. Some prostate cancers can be safely monitored rather than treated immediately, and early detection gives you the widest range of treatment options.
This article is for general education and is not a substitute for medical advice. Talk with your physician about what screening schedule is right for you based on your age, family history, and risk factors.
This page was reviewed by Brent A. Sharpe, MD
Dr. Sharpe is a native of North Carolina. He received his bachelor’s degree from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte and his Medical Degree from East Carolina University School of Medicine. He completed his residency in Urology at Emory University in 2005 after a surgical internship at Texas Tech Health Science Center. He is board-certified by the American Board of Urology.
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