Bruce Arians is urging men to make prostate cancer screening a priority, drawing on his experience as a survivor. The former head coach who won a Super Bowl says early detection gave him the chance to have his cancer removed.

His message comes as the NFL continues its annual “Crucial Catch” initiative this week. The partnership with the American Cancer Society focuses on fighting cancer through early detection, reducing risk and raising awareness about screening.

Arians has also partnered with Novartis for its “Relax, It’s a Blood Test” campaign. The effort promotes prostate cancer screening and emphasizes the importance of detecting the disease early.

The campaign is deeply personal for Arians. In 2007, a PSA, or prostate-specific antigen, blood test helped his doctors find the cancer that led to his diagnosis and treatment.

Arians told OutKick in a recent interview that one in eight men in the United States will have prostate cancer. He called early detection the key to confronting that risk.

“One in eight men in the United States are going to have prostate cancer, and early detection is the key. It’s a simple finger-free blood test,” Arians said.

Hearing the diagnosis was “devastating,” according to Arians. Without the PSA test, however, his situation could have been much worse.

“I thought I was just like every other man going to the bathroom too much at night.”

Arians said men should begin what he calls a scorecard by having their PSA level checked regularly. He also urged them to understand their risk and seek screening.

“I had started my scorecard at 40, and when I say start a scorecard, get your PSA level checked every year by your doctor. Know your risk and get screened,” Arians said.

His doctor ultimately recommended a biopsy as a precaution. That decision led to the discovery of Arians’ prostate cancer.

“For me, I went in, got the diagnosis. Doctor said, ‘You know, let’s just do a biopsy just in case.’”

Arians was 51 when the cancer was found and removed. He also recalled experiencing the anxieties that can accompany a prostate cancer diagnosis and uncertainty about what comes next.

“Fortunately, we found the prostate cancer and had it removed. I was 51 and had all those anxieties that all men have for what’s to come.”

He credited his doctors with addressing those concerns while treating the cancer. Arians said their ability to preserve nerves and other functions helped make the process easier for him.

“But the doctors, they have such a great way of saving the nerves and everything else. And you want that cancer out of your body.”

Arians said he returned to work while recovering, spending the next 10 days with a catheter as he prepared for the draft. He described himself as fortunate to have had a fantastic doctor.

His experience explains his involvement with Novartis and its awareness campaign. The campaign also uses football wordplay to reduce anxiety around screening and encourage athletes to “relax their tight ends.”

Legendary tight ends Rob Gronkowski and Tony Gonzalez were involved in the campaign as well. Its message is that prostate cancer screening can begin with a PSA blood test rather than a rectal exam.

The stakes behind that lighthearted approach are serious. When prostate cancer is detected early, its five year relative survival rate is over 99%, making screening especially important for men.

“I think it’s so easy to try and make sure that this does not happen to you. A simple thing: start your scorecard.”

Arians urged men to have their PSA levels checked every year and remain connected with their doctors. He said even men who rarely visit a doctor should make this screening a priority.

“Get your PSA level checked every single year and stay in tune with your doctor. If you’re not one of those guys that goes to the doctor very often, this is the one you need to go to.”

“It will save your life.”