Questions to ask

Questions to ask your healthcare team

Many people experience anxiety as a result of a cancer diagnosis. It may be helpful to prepare a list of questions and ask a family member or friend to accompany you to your doctor’s appointments. It is important to note that the questions below are not for everyone and that only some of them will apply to you.

After you’ve been diagnosed

At what stage is my cancer?
What does my PSA (Prostate Specific Antigen) indicate?
What is the grade and the Gleason score?
Has the cancer spread to other parts of my body?
What tests will I need to have? How long will the test (s) take?
What do I need to do to prepare for the test (s)?
When will I get the results?
There is more than one possible treatment, how do I know which one is the best for me?
What happens without treatment?
Are there books or internet sites that you recommend so that I can become more informed? (You can order your free copy of the book ” Understanding Prostate Cancer” by contacting PROCURE at info@procuro.ca. Please include your full name and mailing address.
Do you know if any on-going clinical trials for my type of cancer?

Before you start treatment

Where will I have treatment? When will treatment begin?
Will I need to stay in the hospital overnight to have my treatment? Can I drive to my treatments or should I have someone drive me home?
Are there any side effects?
What side effects am I most likely to have?
Are any of the effects permanent?

During your treatment

When will I see results from the treatments?
Who do I talk to about pain management or diet? Are there people on staff that can help me?
What can I do to manage the side effects?
What should I do if I have a fever? Who do I call? Is there an emergency number? (Sudden changes to your health could include: breathing problems, increased pain, vomiting, diarrhea, bleeding that won’t stop, seizures, swelling in your arms or legs)
Will I experience a loss of bladder control?
Will I experience problems with erections?

Getting support

How do I tell my family and friends about my cancer?
What support is there for me? How can I meet people in the same situation?
Is there any kind of support available for my family and friends?
Will I be able to take care of myself or will I need help? Who can I talk to?
Can I have a glass of wine or beer?
Can I have sex?

Follow-up care

How often will I see the specialist after my treatment?
Should I see my family doctor for follow-up visits?

End-of-life care

What options do I have if the treatment is not successful?
If there’s pain, how will it be managed and by whom?
Will I be able to stay at home? How can I find out about services or programs that might help me?
What is a hospice? Is it an option?

This list is only a starting point. Other questions will probably come to mind along the way. Do not hesitate to ask your healthcare team.

You can also participate in the management of your care by keeping a personal medical record on your health condition and by ensuring that all your doctors receive a copy of your tests results. During each medical visit, you can inform your doctor of your discussions with other specialists. This will facilitate communication between each health care provider responsible for your care.

We are here for you

You have questions or concerns? Don’t hesitate. Contact us at 1-855-899-2873 to discuss with one of our nurses specialized in uro-oncology. They are there to listen, support and answer your questions, and those of your family or your loved ones. It’s simple and free, like all of our other services.

Also take the time to visit each of our pages on this website, as well as our YouTube channel, in order to get familiar with the disease, our expert lectures, our section on available resources, the support that is offered to you, our events and ways to get involved to advance the cause.

Staying Informed

Pages that might interest you
Want to know more? Just click on one of the links below.

The latest PROCURE news that might interest you
Every week we publish a blog article. Here are some we have chosen for you.

The medical content and editorial team at PROCURE
Our team is composed of urologists, and nurses certified in uro-oncology with a deep knowledge of prostate cancer and other diseases related to the genitourinary system. Meet our staff by clicking here.

Sources and references

Last medical and editorial review: September 2023
Written by PROCURE. © All rights reserved

Questions to ask

Home » Prostate cancer » Your team and questions » Questions to ask

Questions to ask

Many people experience anxiety following a cancer diagnosis. It can be helpful to prepare a list of questions and ask a family member or friend to accompany you to your appointment. It’s important to note that the questions on the list below may not apply to everyone, and only some of them should be used depending on your situation. This list is just a starting point. Other questions will likely come to mind along the way; don’t hesitate to ask your healthcare team.

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.

Before a diagnosis

What tests are necessary to detect cancer? How are they conducted?
Will you need to undergo a biopsy?
Will the procedure be performed under hospitalization or in an outpatient clinic?
Will an anesthetic or sedative be administered? If yes, what type?
Is any preparation necessary before the tests?
How long will the tests last?
Do the tests cause any side effects? Is the procedure painful?
Are there any specific guidelines to follow after the tests?
Is it necessary to be accompanied home after the tests?
How long does it take to receive the test results?
Is it possible to obtain a copy of the test results?
What will happen if the results are abnormal?
What other tests will need to be done? Why?

After a diagnosis

Quel est le stade d’évolution de mon cancer?
Que m’indique mon niveau d’APS (Antigène Prostatique Spécifique)?
Qu’est-ce que le grade et le score de Gleason?
Le cancer s’est-il propagé à d’autres parties de mon organisme?
Quels sont les tests que j’aurai à passer? Combien de temps ces tests dureront-ils?
Comment dois-je me préparer pour passer ces examens?
Quand vais-je connaître les résultats?
Plusieurs traitements possibles, comment puis-je savoir lequel est le meilleur pour moi?
Que va-t-il arriver si je ne reçois pas de traitement?
Y a-t-il des livres ou des sites sur internet que vous recommandez afin de m’informer sur mon cancer?
Vous pouvez commander votre exemplaire gratuit du livre « Comprendre le cancer de la prostate » en nous écrivant à info@procuro.ca en nous indiquant vos coordonnées.
Savez-vous si des essais cliniques sont en cours pour le type de cancer dont je suis atteint?

Comment annoncer à mes proches que je suis atteint de cancer?

Puis-je compter sur des services de soutien?

Comment faire pour rencontrer des gens dans la même situation que moi?

Existe-t-il une forme quelconque de soutien pour ma famille et mes amis?

Serai-je en mesure de prendre soin de moi ou aurai-je besoin d’aide?

À qui puis-je parler?

Puis-je prendre un verre de vin ou de bière?

Puis-je avoir des relations sexuelles?

Before treatment

Where will the treatment take place and when will it begin?
Will I need to spend the night in the hospital to receive my treatment? Can I drive myself to my treatments or do I need someone to drive me home?
Are there any side effects?
What are the most likely side effects?
Will these effects be permanent?

During treatment

When can I expect to see the results of the treatment?
Who can I talk to about pain relief or my diet? Are there specific members of the healthcare team who can assist me?
What can I do to alleviate the side effects?
What should I do if I have a fever? Who do I call? Is there an emergency number? (Examples of sudden changes that could occur: breathing problems, increased pain, vomiting, diarrhea, continuous bleeding, swelling of the arms or legs)
Will I experience urinary incontinence?
Is there a chance that I will experience erectile dysfunction?

After treatment

Will I need any other treatments?
Who will be the doctor in charge of my follow-up care?
How often should I see my doctor?
What should I monitor?
What should I report to my doctor?
Who can I contact outside of regular hours?
Will my family doctor be involved in my follow-up care? In what way?

Advanced prostate cancer

What options are available to me if the treatment is not successful?
If I experience pain, how will it be alleviated and who will manage it?
Will I be able to stay at home?
Where should I go to find out about the services or assistance programs available to me?
What is a palliative care facility? Is this an option to consider?

Additional Information - Treatment options

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A man with prostate cancer shares the challenges of his cancer experience.

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Prostate cancer: Tests, imaging and biomarkers

Discussion about the variety of approaches available to monitor this disease before, during, or after treatment.

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Is prostate cancer hereditary?

Understanding the hereditary and genetic aspects of this disease can provide valuable information to both individuals affected and their families.

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Videos

Symptoms, risk and screening

Are you over 50 or experiencing urinary problems? Discover why early screening for prostate diseases is important.

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Diagnosis and treatment

Recently diagnosed with cancer? Educate yourself to fully understand your situation.

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The role of hormone therapy

Has your doctor recommended hormone therapy? This video is for you!

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States of prostate cancer following treatment

Do your recent tests show an increase in PSA levels? It could indicate a recurrence.

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Webinaires

External radiation or Brachytherapy?

Explore the benefits and considerations of each treatment option for prostate cancer to determine which might be right for you.

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Q-A – New therapies for advance prostate cancer

In this interview, we answer patients’ questions about new therapies for advanced prostate cancer.

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Genetic predisposition to prostate cancer

Although rare, some hereditary genetic mutations can increase your risk of prostate cancer.

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All about hormone therapy

Hormone therapy can reduce tumor size, control cancer, and prolong life. Is it the right treatment for your cancer?

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Blog Articles

Active surveillance in 5 points

As surprising as it may seem, your doctor may prefer to wait before starting treatment.

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States of prostate cancer post-treatment

Gentlemen, you’re being treated for prostate cancer, and your latest blood tests show an increase in PSA levels?

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Your role as a patient

Have you been diagnosed with prostate cancer? Your role as a patient is essential throughout your journey.

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Me a guinea pig?

Did you know that participating in a clinical trial advances medical science and improves the lot of patients for future generations?

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Sources and references
Last medical and editorial review: April 2024. See our web page validation committee and our collaborators by clicking here.

Discover our animated video!

Symptoms, risk and screening
Are you over 50 years old, or have you been having urinary problems for some time now? This video is for you! Several diseases can affect your prostate, and it’s important to detect them early. Let’s take a closer look.

Anatomy

What is the prostate

The prostate is a gland:

Located between the bladder and the penis, just in front of the rectum;
Formed of 2 lobes which surround the urethra, a canal that runs through the center of the prostate, from the bladder to the penis, letting urine and sperm flow out of the body;
The size of a walnut, which grows larger in size in your forties;
That has a soft, spongy texture to the touch like a small, ripe plum.

The prostate is made of:

Gland cells that secrete liquids for ejaculation;
Muscle cells that participate in the evacuation of your sperm during ejaculation;
Fiber cells that maintain the structure of the gland.

Around the prostate, we find:

The seminal vesicles, glands that produce sperm and that are located on either side of the prostate;
The vas deferens, the tube that carries sperm from the testicle to the seminal vesicles;
The nerve bundles that control your bladder and erectile function and that are located on either side of your prostate.

Structure

Three main zones of the prostate

Peripheral zone

The peripheral zone is the largest area of the prostate. It can easily be felt by the doctor during a digital rectal exam (DRE).
Most prostate cancers start in the peripheral zone.

Transition zone

This is the area located in the middle of the prostate, between the peripheral and central areas. It surrounds your urethra that runs through the prostate.
With age, the transitional area increases in size until it becomes the largest portion of your prostate. This is called benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) or enlarged prostate.

Central zone

It is the part of the prostate that is farthest from the rectum. This is why prostate tumors located in this area can not be felt by the doctor during a digital rectal examination.
If the doctor is in doubt, the following information will help decide if additional investigation is necessary:
- Your PSA level
- Your age and family history
- Your ethnic origin

Fonction

In short

Your fertility and natural fertilization

It produces … a prostatic fluid rich in enzymes, proteins and minerals that nourishes and protects your spermatozoa.
It makes … a protein (APS) that is used to liquefy your sperm to facilitate the mobility of your spermatozoa.
It allows … ejaculation by contracting.
It promotes … fertility through its enzymes facilitating the penetration of sperm through the cervix.
It is not related to the mechanism of erection. Therefore, the origin of erectile dysfunction lies elsewhere.

Additional details

Exocrine Function

The prostate is made up of thousands of tiny fluid-producing glands. Specifically, the prostate is an exocrine gland. Exocrine glands are so-called because they secrete through ducts to the outside of the body (or into a cavity that communicates with the outside). Sweat glands are another example of an exocrine gland.

The fluid that the prostate gland produces forms part of semen, the fluid that carries sperm during orgasm. This fluid, produced in the prostate, is stored with sperm in the seminal vesicles. When the male climaxes, muscular contractions cause the prostate to secrete this fluid into the urethra, where it is expelled from the body through the penis.

Urine Flow

The prostate wraps itself around the urethra as it passes from the bladder to the penis. Prostatic changes can affect urine flow. Increasing the size of the prostate or muscle tone may impede the flow of urine due to the close anatomical relationship between the urethra and the prostate.

Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA)

The prostate also produces a protein called prostate-specific antigen (PSA). PSA is released with the ejaculatory fluid and can also be traced in the bloodstream. The testing of PSA levels in the blood is used to detect prostate cancer. The level of PSA in the blood is usually measured in nanograms of PSA per milliliter of blood (ng/mL).

A raised PSA level

Usually, a PSA rate of less than 4 nanograms per milliliter of blood is normal, but age should also be taken into consideration as PSA levels gradually increase with age. A rise in PSA concentration may indicate the presence of:

An enlarged prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia)
An inflammation or infection of the prostate (prostatitis)
A prostate cancer

Your doctor will have you undergo other tests to determine the exact cause of the increase in your PSA.