Most prostate cancers, found in the early stages, grow slowly. This means that you usually do not have to rush when making a treatment choice. Often, you have several weeks to several months from the time you first learn you have prostate cancer to decide upon treatment.
Many men use this time to find out more about prostate cancer treatment options. Be sure to find all of the information you need to answer your questions so you can be comfortable with your decision.
It may be helpful to use this extra time to attend a prostate cancer support group to talk with other men who have faced the same decision—making process.
Studies show that men felt better about their treatment decision when they took part in making their own treatment choice. But making this choice can be hard to do. The following ideas may help.
Learn more about the different prostate cancer treatment options offered at Roswell Park.
Talking With Your Medical Team
Ask your doctor or nurse questions that you are thinking about, but that you normally may not feel comfortable asking. These questions can be about topics that are new to you or side effects that concern you.
- Health History: This includes your age, family history, health (other than cancer), and whether you have any other illness, such as diabetes or heart problems, or have had a previous prostate surgery.
- Cancer History: Talk about your prostate cancer in terms of PSA number, grade, Gleason score, and stage. In general, this means aggressiveness and location of the cancer, and what it looks like under the microscope. Click on the terms to learn more.
- Treatment Choices: It's important to ask your doctors about all the treatment options that are available to you. This includes benefits (how each treatment can help) and long—and short—term side effects. This may even include the small risk of death from surgery.
- Your Part in Making a Choice: Men who actively take part in their treatment tend to have fewer regrets than men who let others decide for them. Let your health provider know how active you want to be in making this choice.
- What is Important to You: Keep in mind what's important to you and what worries you. This is also a good time for you and your spouse or partner to have an open discussion with each other about your treatment choices and their side effects.
- Ask a Family Member or Trusted Friend or Caregiver to Come to Appointments With You: This person can help listen, ask questions, take notes, and talk with you about what your doctor or nurse said.
- Bring a Copy of Your Pathology Report: Make sure to ask your doctor for a copy of this report and bring a copy with you when you see new doctors. Your pathology report includes the results of tests that describe details about your cancer. If you are seeing a new doctor, it's important to bring all of the information he or she requests to your visit.
- Get a Second or Even Third Opinion: Seeking other opinions means talking about prostate cancer treatment with doctors you are not working with now. You may want to talk with other prostate cancer specialists, such as a urologist, urologic oncologist, surgeon, medical oncologist, internist, or radiation oncologist.
Getting second and third opinions can be confusing. You may get different advice or opinions. Because of this, many men find it helpful to see a medical oncologist for a general view of prostate cancer treatment options. Talking with other doctors can give you ideas to think about or help you feel better about the choice you are making. Most insurance companies pay for second opinions. It is better to get a second opinion than worry that you made the wrong choice.
