Michael Abern

Dr. Michael Abern

Dr. Michael Abern is a urologic surgeon and research scientist whose work focuses on cancer of the prostate, bladder and kidney. He is an expert in minimally invasive surgery for prostate, bladder and kidney cancer, including laparoscopic and robotic techniques. At UI Health, he performs prostate cancer biopsies using advanced imaging technology that combines MRI and ultrasound imaging to improve accuracy of tissue sampling during the procedure.

Dr. Abern’s research focuses on factors that affect health outcomes for urologic cancer and surgery. He is examining the use of biomarkers for prostate cancer in African Americans, who are at higher risk for developing prostate cancer. Additional research is investigating new MRI techniques for detection of prostate cancer.

He is developing population-specific PSA testing guidelines. “We know that certain high-risk groups, such as African American men or those with a first degree relative that had prostate cancer, who we see with prostate cancer as early as their 40s, aren’t getting screened early enough to effectively treat their cancer,” Abern says. “PSA testing guidelines should take into account this increased risk, so that we can test earlier and save more lives.”

Subject areas:

• Prostate cancer screening and PSA levels
• Prostate and bladder cancer biomarkers
• Advanced tumor imaging
• Kidney cancer
• Cancer epidemiology