According to the American Cancer Society, one out of every six adult males will be diagnosed with prostate cancer at some point in their lives. Once the condition has been diagnosed, it is in the patient's interest to vigorously investigate all of the many areas of treatment.
Step 1
Ask the physician about options for prostate cancer treatment. Those identified by the Prostate Cancer Foundation include: prostatectomy, a surgical procedure to remove part or all of the prostate; radiation therapy, which uses directed radioactive exposure to kill off cancer cells; brachytherapy, in which tiny radioactive metal pellets are injected into the prostate to irradiate the cancer cells; hormone therapy (also called androgen-deprivation therapy or ADT), which seeks to arrest cancerous cells by stopping testosterone flow to the affected area; and chemotherapy, which uses chemicals to stop the growth of cancer cells.
Step 2
Ask about the diagnosing physician's experience in treating prostate cancer and do not be afraid to get a second opinion. This is a very serious situation, and you should not feel pressured into selecting one particular form of treatment.
Step 3
Arrange consultations with each of the three types of prostate cancer specialists. The Prostate Cancer Foundation suggests seeking the opinion of a urologist, as well as a radiation oncologist and a medical oncologist.
Step 4
Do as much independent research as possible, staying up on current developments. Read up-to-date medical books and current newspaper articles on prostate cancer, visit high-quality Internet sites, and write down questions for the next doctor visit. Few diseases are seeing as rapid an evolution of treatment as prostate cancer.
Step 5
Investigate alternative therapies. The website of the Prostate Cancer Foundation identifies numerous alternative or evolving treatments including cryotherapy (also called cryosurgery or cryoablation), high-intensity focused ultrasound, and primary hormone therapy as alternative treatments currently in use.
Step 6
Find a support group. The emotional uplift provided by realizing that others share your challenges can bring additional strength for fighting the disease.
Tips and Warnings
- Bring your wife, partner or a friend in to doctor appointments. It is particularly helpful if you are able to rely on a male friend who has been through the experience of prostate cancer diagnosis, treatment and recovery.
- There is a tremendous amount of misinformation on the Internet regarding medical matters. Stick to reputable websites such as those of the Cleveland Clinic, the National Institutes of Health, the Mayo Clinic, the University of Maryland Medical Center, and the Centers for Disease Control.
