TABLE OF CONTENTS WHAT IS PROSTATE CANCER ........................................................................ 4 WHO IS AT RISK? ............................................................................................ 5 WHY ARE VETERANS AT HIGHER RISK? ...................................................... 6 WILL THE VA HELP ME WITH MY TREATMENT? ......................................... 7 BENEFITS OF EARLY DETECTION ................................................................. 9 GUIDELINES FOR EARLY DETECTION .......................................................... 9 DIAGNOSING PROSTATE CANCER ............................................................. 11 GENOMIC TESTING ..................................................................................... 11 GRADING AND STAGING ............................................................................ 12 TREATMENT .................................................................................................. 13 TREATMENT OPTIONS . ............................................................................... 15 CLINICAL TRIALS .......................................................................................... 17 MANAGING SIDE EFFECTS ......................................................................... 18 QUESTIONS TO ASK YOUR DOCTOR ........................................................ 19 HEALTHY LIVING .......................................................................................... 20 RESOURCES .................................................................................................. 22
FORWARD
A prostate cancer diagnosis is one of the most compelling and emotional challenges a man can face in his lifetime. He is immediately confronted with an avalanche of questions about the severity of the cancer, his treatment options, the cost of those treatment options and their side effects. He has concerns about how the prostate cancer diagnosis will affect all aspects of his health and his relationships with his loved ones. This pamphlet is written for Veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces and their families. The information attempts to provide some beginning answers to those questions broadly. However, each prostate cancer survivor knows that sharing information about our personal experiences with newly diagnosed men is the best option for continuing care and quality of life.
TOM HUBERTY Petty Officer Third Class U.S. Navy Prostate Cancer Survivor
PROSTATE CANCER 101
PROSTATE CANCER 101
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