Relax Your Tight End

Novartis, a leading global innovative medicines company and the official pharmaceutical partner of the NFL, today announced the launch of “Relax, it’s a blood test,” a new national prostate cancer awareness initiative that kicks off with a commercial airing during Super Bowl LX on February 8, 2026.

Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer and second leading cause of cancer death among men in the United States. Early detection leads to a greater than 99% relative 5-year survival rate, yet many men avoid prostate cancer screening, and 60% mistakenly believe that it requires an invasive digital rectal exam. The reality is the first step is a simple prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test.

“Relax, it’s a blood test” cuts through stigma and addresses the anxieties and misperceptions that can cause men to avoid prostate cancer screening. Novartis has partnered with leading patient advocacy organizations, including the American Cancer Society, Malecare, National Alliance of State Prostate Cancer Coalitions, Prostate Cancer Foundation, Prostate Health Education Network, ZERO Prostate Cancer, and others to help shape the campaign and drive increased PSA screenings. The initiative aims to demystify the process, empowering men to replace hesitation with action and making early detection easy, accessible, and potentially lifesaving.

“Novartis has a long history of tackling the toughest challenges in healthcare, including prostate cancer, the second leading cause of cancer death for men,” said Victor Bultó, President, US, Novartis. “Early detection of prostate cancer can make a meaningful difference in outcomes, but the fear of a potentially uncomfortable exam causes many of us to avoid making an appointment. By teaming up with the NFL and these celebrated players, we’re empowering men nationwide to take the first step: a simple blood test.”

For the “Relax, it’s a blood test” campaign, Novartis and a roster of eight influential NFL leaders and icons, including Super Bowl-winning coach Bruce Arians, have teamed up to champion prostate cancer screening and early detection. The campaign features current tight ends George Kittle (San Francisco 49ers) and Colby Parkinson (Los Angeles Rams), along with NFL greats Rob Gronkowski (Tampa Bay Buccaneers), Greg Olsen (Carolina Panthers), Tony Gonzalez (Atlanta Falcons), Delanie Walker (Tennessee Titans), and Vernon Davis (San Francisco 49ers). Each brings a personal connection to prostate cancer and a shared commitment to breaking down stigma, normalizing men’s health conversations, and motivating men to discuss PSA blood tests with their doctors.

“I was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2007, and early detection saved my life,” said former NFL head coach and prostate cancer survivor, Bruce Arians. “I hear men all the time say they’re hesitant to get screened because of what they think it involves. There is no need to avoid it if you talk to a doctor and learn your risk. You can relax, it’s a blood test.”

Current screening guidelines from leading professional societies recommend most men begin discussing prostate cancer screening with a doctor starting at age 45; for some men in high risk groups, this should start at age 40.*⁶ Yet an estimated 40.3 million age-eligible men in the U.S. have never had a PSA blood test.⁷ Barriers, including lack of access to primary care, persistent misconceptions about screening, and cultural stigma, continue to delay action. These gaps are especially concerning for Black men, who face a higher risk of being diagnosed with prostate cancer, underscoring the urgency of education and early detection.⁷

Novartis has partnered with the oncology community for over 30 years to advance cancer treatment and help address unmet needs. This initiative combines the strength of the oncology patient advocacy community with the scale of the NFL’s fan base to make prostate cancer screening clearer, accessible and relevant. Educational resources and activations include:

• A central online educational hub offering men and those who support them clear, accessible information about prostate cancer screening that cuts through common misconceptions.
• Risk assessment tools to help individuals understand key prostate cancer risk factors.
• Easy-to-follow guidance on when and how to get tested.
• Screening events with NFL teams, including onsite PSA testing, to support early detection and encourage proactive health decisions.
• On-site activation at the Super Bowl Experience to provide educational resources to engaged fans.

“Expanding access to cancer screening, especially in communities where limited resources and persistent misconceptions have hindered life-saving education and care, is essential to changing outcomes,” said Shane Jacobson, CEO of American Cancer Society, a long-time partner of the NFL. “By working with partners like Novartis to break down barriers to screening, we can help men detect prostate cancer earlier, expand equitable access to care, and fundamentally change what a diagnosis means for patients and their families.”