If you have been diagnosed with prostate cancer, your role as a patient is essential throughout your cancer treatment experience.
When you learn you have prostate cancer, you may feel angry, overwhelmed, anxious or confused. These are completely normal emotions. However, it’s important to understand that your role as a patient is just as important as that of your healthcare team.
Medically reviewed by Urologist-Surgeon Dr. Thierry Lebeau on 05/26/2022
I gather information
Following a cancer diagnosis, your first job is to be well informed. Understanding your type of cancer is essential: Is it aggressive? Localized to the prostate? Has it spread elsewhere?
After a thorough discussion with your doctor, you will be better equipped to move on to the next step: treatment. Take the time to analyze the various treatments available to you, and take a look at their side effects. This will be instrumental in helping you make an informed decision.
- Discuss it with your doctor, your family, your friends. If necessary, do some research on your end, bring a list of questions to your doctor, and talk to someone who’s been there before.
- Learn about potential side effects so you know what to expect and how to deal. This will likely affect your choice of treatment.
I analyze my lifestyle
Side effects can vary in intensity and duration from one man to the next; they may be treated or even disappear with time. Know that you have the power to control some of these effects.
- Prioritize a healthy diet, including a calcium and vitamin D supplement
- Stay physically active
- Get a full health checkup regularly
By changing certain lifestyle habits, you will feel more in control. And your physical and psychological well-being is sure to benefit. Talk about it to your loved ones, and do not hesitate to consult your specialist.
I understand the importance of medical follow-up and my results
Whether you are in an active surveillance stage, in full treatment or in post-treatment, medical monitoring is essential. Your appointments are an opportunity to talk to your specialist, report any new symptoms that are of concern, and discuss your side effects.
Medical monitoring also allows your doctor to keep an eye on your cancer, judge the cancer’s response to treatment, or monitor for a possible recurrence of the disease after treatment.
As a general rule, medical check-ups include a clinical examination, blood tests to measure PSA levels, among other things, and imaging tests, if necessary. Make sure you always have the results of these tests handy.
I play an active role throughout my cancer experience
Play an active role in your well-being and, above all, think about your needs. Taking good care of yourself is as important as taking your medication and getting treatment. At any time, ask your healthcare team for advice before, during and after your treatment.
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 and webinars, our section on available resources, the support that is offered to you, our events and ways to get involved in advancing the cause.
You have questions or concerns? Don’t hesitate. You can chat with us or 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, as well as those of your family or loved ones. It’s simple and free, like all of our other services.
Webinar to review
Prostate Cancer: Your test preparation, procedures and results
Pages of our site that might interest you
Want to know more? Just click on the link below.
Nutrition and healthy weight
Reorganizing your life after cancer
PROCURE blog articles that might interest you
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States of prostate cancer post-treatment
If I had been given the choice
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Written by PROCURE. © All rights reserved – 2022
