Is your prostate cancer advanced or metastatic? Use this list of questions to ask your doctor to help keep you on track at your appointments.
NEWLY DIAGNOSED PROSTATE CANCER GUIDE QUESTIONS FOR YOUR DOCTOR: Advanced Prostate Cancer
These questions are to help someone living with advanced prostate cancer make a plan with their healthcare team to best manage the disease. Prostate cancer that spreads outside the prostate to other parts of the body is called metastatic prostate cancer (also called stage IV or advanced prostate cancer). Although metastatic prostate cancer cannot be cured, it can be treated and managed. Today, men are living longer with metastatic prostate cancer. QUESTIONS FOR YOUR DOCTOR What does it mean that the cancer has metastisized? Where is the cancer (metastases) in my body? What ongoing tests can I expect to monitor the disease? Are there any risks with these tests? Can you help me talk to a genetic counselor or get genetic testing? What are all my treatment options? Which treatment(s) do you recommend and why? What are the benefits of the treatment(s) you recommend? What are the risks and potential side effects of the treatment(s) you recommend? How long do I have to make my decision? What do you suggest if the current treatment stops working? Am I eligible for a clinical trial? Consider using a notebook at your appointments and taking someone with you if you can.
Many people seek second opinions to explore all options. Seeking a second opinion is common and doing so can make you feel more confident in the treatment decision that you make. CONSIDER A SECOND OPINION?
Living with Advanced Prostate Cancer Are my siblings, children, and grandchildren at higher risk? How can you help me maintain a good quality of life? What support services are available for me and my family? How can I find support and resources to help pay for my treatment? If You Have Metastases in the Bone What treatments are available to manage the cancer and the pain in my bones?
What are the side effects of these treatments? How many visits will these treatments require?
Finding out that you or a loved one has advanced prostate cancer can be scary. Many resources and services are available and ZERO is here to help you along the way.
LEARN MORE 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 zerocancer.org/learn .
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. Consult your healthcare team if you have questions about your specific care.
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