ABOUT PROSTATE CANCER
TREATMENT If prostate cancer is diagnosed, your doctor will determine the extent (Stage) and grade (Gleason score) of the cancer. This information helps identify the best treatment options for your situation. Learning all you can about treatment options and finding the right prostate cancer care team will help you make the most informed decisions. Many treatments for prostate cancer can cause side effects that are disruptive, such as urinary incontinence and erectile dysfunction. Consider all of your options before deciding on a plan, especially if diagnosed with slow-growing cancer that is not aggressive. Treatment options include:
QUESTIONS FOR THE DOC
• What is the stage of my cancer? • Has my cancer spread and, if so, how far ? • How aggressive is the cancer? • What are all of my treatment options? • What are the possible side effects of each treatment? • Should I get a second opinion?
• Active Surveillance • Local Therapies – Surgery – Radiation
• Systemic Therapies – Hormone Therapy – Immunotherapy – Targeted Therapy
– High Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU) – Cryotherapy
– Radiopharmaceuticals – Chemotherapy
SURVIVORSHIP Once you have completed your treatment, talk with your doctor about your follow-up plan. Find out what tests are recommended and how often you need to return for screening. It is important to stay on top of your screenings. Ask about a treatment summary. This is a convenient way to record your diagnosis and any treatment decisions you • Clinical Trials Your doctor and care team should be open to any questions you have regarding your diagnosis, and they should be fully supportive of any second opinions you might wish to seek.
and your care team have made to fight the disease. A treatment summary is a helpful tool for any doctors who care for you during your lifetime. Life after treatment for prostate cancer may be different from before you were diagnosed. Remember, you are not alone. More than 3.1 million men are living with prostate cancer in the U.S. Continue talking to your healthcare providers about nutrition, physical therapy, ongoing side effects, and how you can not only survive, but thrive.
3.1+
MILLION MEN
LIVING WITH PROSTATE CANCER
We encourage you to use this information in conversations with your healthcare team about prostate cancer and related topics. For more information about prostate cancer and ZERO Prostate Cancer, visit our website www.zerocancer.org/learn. LEARN MORE
ZERO Prostate Cancer provides this information as a service. It is not intended to take the place of medical professionals or the recommendations of your healthcare team. We strongly suggest consulting your healthcare team if you have questions about your specific care.
A PATIENT EDUCATION SERIES
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