Anyone diagnosed with prostate cancer, or any cancer for that matter, knows that those first minutes, hours and days can feel a bit overwhelming. What does it all mean? What are my treatment options? The risks? Side effects? Will I survive?
Unfortunately, navigating through the world of prostate cancer is not easy. There is a smorgasbord of treatment options, each carrying its own risks and potential benefits. Is the cancer localized to the prostate or on the move? What is the grade and what does that mean? All are important questions that patients need to grapple with and understand.
While the Internet can be an excellent source to gather information about prostate cancer, a physician is still the best source of information about a particular situation. Consult with at least a couple physicians, including a urologist and radiation specialist, to figure out what's best for you.
Starter Questions To Ask Physicians
With assistance from the American Cancer Society, here is a list of good starter questions that prostate cancer patients can ask their doctors in order to make a more informed treatment decision:
- What is my prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level? What does this mean?
- What is the grade (Gleason score) of my cancer? What does this mean?
- Do you recommend additional tests -- and why?
- What is the likelihood that the cancer has spread beyond my prostate? If so, is it still curable?
- What are my treatment options at this time?
- Do you recommend a radical prostatectomy? Why or why not? If so, will it be nerve sparing?
- Is radiation therapy an option? Why or why not? What type of radiation treatment might be best for me?
- Will hormonal therapy be helpful? What are the risks?
- What other treatments might be appropriate for me? Why?
- What is likely to happen if I choose the “watchful waiting” approach?
- What is my expected survival rate based on clinical stage, grade, and various treatment options?
- Among these treatments, what are the risks or side effects that I should expect?
- What are the chances that I will have problems with incontinence or impotence?
- What are the chances of recurrence of my cancer with the treatment programs we have discussed? What would be our next step if this happened?
- Are there any newer forms of treatment available?
- Am I eligible for any clinical trials?
- Which treatment option do you recommend? Why?
- What can I do to help myself during treatment?
- Should I follow a special diet?
Profiler Treatment Option Tool
In addition to consulting a physician, check out the American Cancer Society’s Profiler Option Tool for Prostate Cancer to help sort through treatment options and side effects. It’s free, personalized to your specific information, and private – no information is shared without your permission.
One in 6 Men Will Have Prostate Cancer
Today prostate cancer is the most common cancer found in American men, with more than 186,320 new cases of prostate cancer expected in the United States in 2008, according to the American Cancer Society. Of those, about 28,660 men will die of the disease this year.
Fortunately, the death rate is going down, thanks in large measure to greater public awareness about prostate cancer and the growing prevalence of PSA testing.
Click here to read more stories about prostate cancer and treatment options.
