The present invention provides methods to detect prostate cancer by detecting the RNA encoded by PCA3. The disclosure provides a method for determining a predisposition, or presence of prostate cancer comprising: (a) contacting a sample with at least one oligonucleotide that hybridizes to a PCA3 polynucleotide (b) detecting an amount of PCA3 and second prostate-specific polynucleotides and (c) comparing the amount of PCA3 polynucleotide that hybridizes to the oligonucleotide to a predetermined cut off value, and determining the presence or absence of prostate cancer. Diagnostic kits are provided for detecting prostate cancer or the risk of developing same comprising: (a) at least one container means containing at least one oligonucleotide probe or primer that hybridizes to PCA3 (b) at least one oligonucleotide probe or primer that hybridizes with a second prostate specific nucleic acid and (c) reagents for detecting PCA3 and the second prostate specific nucleic acid.
