If being diagnosed with prostate cancer is a massive blow for men, the treatment options can quickly become a headache, especially when there are multiple options on the table. Then there is the anxiety and stress of having to choose between several treatments and the fear of not choosing the “right one”.
Medically reviewed by Endo-Urologist Malek Meskawi on 08/08/2022
It is the low risk type of cancer that is actually the most complicated, in terms of choice. Indeed, when you have a cancer of this type, the first question is: should it be treated or not? If you opt for active surveillance, the 2nd question is: will it progress to the point where it is no longer curable? If you decide to treat the disease and the options available to you are surgery, radiation therapy and/or brachytherapy, the 3rd question is: how and what to choose?
Your quest for information
Making an informed decision when you lack information and are under a surge of stress becomes extremely difficult and yet, this decision will be among one of the most important of your life.
The first prescription following the diagnosis is to be well informed. Understanding your type of cancer is essential. Is it a cancer with a low risk of progression? Intermediate risk? High risk?
After having this discussion with your doctor, you will be better equipped to move on to the next step: treatment. Take the time to carefully analyze the different treatments and their side effects. Preparing your questions in advance will help at the next appointment with your doctor. Do not hesitate to contact us at this information-gathering stage at 1 855 899-2873.
Here are also some questions you may want to ask yourself before deciding on treatment:
- Are you the type of person who needs to do something about your cancer, even if it can lead to significant side effects?
- Would you be comfortable with active surveillance, even if it means you might have more anxiety and need more frequent follow-up appointments in the future?
- Do you need to know immediately if your doctor was able to remove all the cancer (following surgery)? Or are you comfortable not knowing the results of your treatment for a while (as is the case with radiation therapy) if it means not having to have surgery?
- Practically speaking, is it more practical for you to have an intervention in the hospital with a recovery period or treatment sessions from Monday to Friday for a few weeks?
- What potential side effects of treatment (incontinence, erectile dysfunction, bowel problems) might be most distressing to you?
In many cases, there is no better option. It is therefore important to take your time and decide which option is best for you.
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
Biopsy, understand your report
Pages of our site that might interest you
Want to know more? Just click on the link below.
Coping with prostate cancer
PROCURE blog articles that might interest you
Every week we publish a blog article. Here are some for you.
States of prostate cancer post-treatment
If I had been given the choice
Why am I not receiving any treatment?
Written by PROCURE. © All rights reserved – 2022
