Family physician

A family physician, also known as a “general practitioner,” is a doctor specializing in general medicine, dedicated to the prevention and treatment of diseases and injuries. This practitioner considers your overall health and will refer you to the appropriate specialist if necessary.

Urologist

A urologist is a doctor specialized in diagnosing and treating diseases that affect the male and female genitourinary system. This specialist treats the following disorders and diseases:

• Prostate problems, such as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), prostatitis (infection), and cancer;
• Urinary tract obstruction;
• Urinary tract infections;
• Testicular cancer;
• Bladder disorders, such as incontinence, overactive bladder, interstitial cystitis, stones, neurogenic bladder, and cancer;
• Kidney disorders, including stones and cancer;
• Penile problems, including erectile dysfunction, Peyronie’s disease, and cancer;
• Reproductive health and infertility;
• Trauma to the genitourinary system;
• Specific urological problems in children.

For any of the above-mentioned problems, do not hesitate to first consult your family physician, who will then refer you to a urologist.

Radiation Oncologist

A radiation oncologist specializes in cancer treatment using radiotherapy. They use high-energy X-rays to destroy cancer cells. Depending on the type of tumor, its location, and its spread, the radiation oncologist will decide on the best radiation procedure, dose, and number of treatments required. If your urologist determines that radiation therapy is the best method to treat your cancer, they will refer you to this specialist.

Oncologist

An oncologist is a doctor specialized in chemotherapy treatments, which involve the use of drugs to treat cancer. This professional has extensive experience in alleviating physical symptoms such as pain, as well as in addressing emotional, psychological, and moral issues. If hormone therapy is no longer effective for cancer, you may be referred to an oncologist for chemotherapy. In some clinical trials, chemotherapy may be used in combination with other types of treatments.

Palliative Care Specialist

The expertise of a palliative care specialist focuses entirely on treatments aimed at relieving the symptoms of a disease, which are similar to those of terminal cancer. The goal of treatment is to reduce disease-related symptoms, including pain, and to optimize the patient’s functional capacity and quality of life.

Nursing Staff

Nursing staff members are specially trained to meet the daily medical needs of patients and provide necessary support. For example, a nurse specializing in prostate cancer patient care and assisting their family must:

• Provide information about the disease, its treatments, and side effects, and answer related questions;
• Assist patients in coping with treatment side effects and refer them to specialists;
• Administer medications as prescribed by the doctor and monitor side effects;
• Address the emotional, psychological, and physical needs of patients and manage appropriate referrals (e.g., to a CLSC or a social worker).

Psychiatrist

A psychiatrist is a specialist doctor who can diagnose the patient’s psychosocial issues, assess underlying physical problems, and prescribe medication. They can also intervene in pain management and help the patient on various levels, such as physical and psychological.

Psychologist

A psychologist helps individuals cope with emotional or psychological reactions related to the illness and treatments. They can also help understand family members’ reactions. Psychological follow-up aims to improve the patient’s and their family’s quality of life, psychological health, and coping abilities.

Sexologist

A sexologist can help the patient and the couple overcome or adjust to a problem of physical origin or learn to live with this reality. For example, the sexologist can help patients integrate medical treatment into their sex life when the man is no longer able to have natural erections. They also help explore other aspects of their sexuality and other ways to express their romantic feelings. Sexuality can take different forms and remain just as fulfilling for both partners. When there is no libido due to hormone therapy, the sexologist helps the patient and the couple accept the situation to avoid suffering, discouragement, and guilt.

Pharmacist

The pharmacist has received training to understand the action of medications. They dispense medications according to medical prescriptions. The pharmacist can explain how to use your medications, inform you about potential side effects, and about their possible interactions with other medications you are already taking.

Dietitian

The dietitian has detailed knowledge of the nutritional properties of foods. They can provide advice on the type of diet you will need during your treatment.

Physiotherapist

The physiotherapist will show you how to improve your mobility with specific exercises and physical activities.

Social Worker

The social worker strives to promote the social functioning of the individual and intervenes with the patient and their family. They can also assist them in concrete steps to obtain the financial assistance required during cancer treatments. They specialize in knowing about community resources that can help those going through a crisis. They work with the care team to organize discharge after hospitalization using available community resources (CLSCs, rehabilitation centers, etc.).

Spiritual Advisor

The spiritual advisor is someone who can understand your beliefs and values. They can comfort you and provide spiritual and moral advice to help you face your new situation.

Volunteer

The volunteer dedicates time, energy, and services to those in need. Volunteers play an important role within the support system offered by hospitals.

Your role

You will likely encounter many of these resource people who can help you. However, once your prostate cancer diagnosis is established, your primary treating physician will be the urologist. Additionally, your family physician should be informed of the diagnosis to be able to monitor your overall health condition. Your urologist is likely the one who will refer you, if necessary, to a radiation oncologist, an oncologist, or a palliative care specialist.

You can also participate in managing your care by keeping a personal medical record of your health status and ensuring that all your doctors receive a copy of your test results. During each medical visit, you can inform your doctor about visits to other specialists. This approach will facilitate communication between each healthcare professional responsible for your care.