During one of the biggest moments in sports, Novartis is using the national spotlight for something even bigger than football. The company, the NFL’s official pharmaceutical partner, is launching “Relax, it’s a blood test,” a nationwide prostate cancer awareness initiative debuting in a Super Bowl LX commercial on February 8, 2026.
The message is simple—and urgent. Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer and the second leading cause of cancer death among U.S. men. Yet when detected early, the five-year relative survival rate exceeds 99%. Despite that, many men delay screening. A major reason? Misconceptions. About 60% of men incorrectly believe screening begins with an invasive digital rectal exam. In reality, the first step is usually a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test.
The campaign brings together Novartis, major patient advocacy groups, and a lineup of NFL figures with personal ties to prostate cancer. Super Bowl–winning coach and survivor Bruce Arians joins stars like George Kittle, Rob Gronkowski, Tony Gonzalez, and others to normalize conversations about men’s health and encourage doctor visits.
Guidelines recommend most men start discussing screening at 45, and earlier—around 40—for those at higher risk. Still, more than 40 million eligible U.S. men have never had a PSA test. Barriers like limited access to care, stigma, and misinformation persist, with Black men facing particularly elevated risk.
Through online education hubs, risk tools, community screening events, and Super Bowl–week activations, the initiative aims to replace fear with facts. The takeaway: taking action on prostate cancer screening can be straightforward—and lifesaving.
Find out if a PSA blood test is right for you at RelaxItsABloodTest.com, and follow along on social (@RelaxItsABloodTest). To learn more about Novartis, the NFL partnership and community health impact, please visit: novartis.com/NFL.
