Talking to Your Doctor About Prostate Cancer
Condition InDepth
People need to be an active part of their care. People should share their concerns and health care goals with their care team. This will help to guide treatment. Ask questions about tests, treatments, or choices the care team is making. Let them know if the treatment plan or steps are unclear.
General Tips for Gathering Information
Here are some tips that may help:
- Bring someone else with you. It helps to have another person hear what is said and think of questions to ask.
- Write down your questions as you think of them.
- Write down the answers you get. Make sure you understand what you are hearing. If you do not, ask the care team to explain it again. Ask for handouts that may help.
- Ask where you can find more information. You have a right to know.
General Tips for Gathering Information
Here are some tips that may help:
- Bring someone else with you. It helps to have another person hear what is said and think of questions to ask.
- Write down your questions as you think of them.
- Write down the answers you get. Make sure you understand what you are hearing. If you do not, ask the care team to explain it again. Ask for handouts that may help.
- Ask where you can find more information. You have a right to know.
Questions to Ask
About the Risk of Prostate Cancer
- Am I at risk of prostate cancer?
- What can I do to lower my risk of prostate cancer?
About Prostate Cancer
- What is the stage of my cancer? What does that mean?
- Has my cancer spread outside of the prostate?
About Treatment Options
- What treatment will work best for me? Why?
- What should I do to prepare for treatment?
- How long will treatment last?
- Will the treatment work?
- What are the risks and side effects?
- Will the treatment make it hard to do day to day activity?
- Will the treatment cause erectile dysfunction?
- What will happen without treatment?
- What medicines can I take?
- How will medicines help me?
- Do they have side effects?
- Will these medicines interact with other medicine or supplements that I am already taking?
- Are there any alternative therapies that may help me?
About Lifestyle Changes
- Should I eat any special foods?
- Are there any changes I should make?
- Do I need a dietitian to help me plan meals?
- Should I start an exercise program?
- What kind of exercise is best?
- How often can I exercise?
- How do I get started?
- Should I stop drinking alcohol?
- What steps can help me quit smoking?
- Will I still be able to have sex?
About Outlook
- Can you help me find support groups for myself and my family?
- What are the chances my cancer will come back after it is treated?
- How will I know that my treatment worked?
- What can I tell loved ones and friends about my cancer?
- What should I expect out of treatment?
- How often will I need checkups?
References
- Getting the most out of your doctor appointment. Family Doctor—American Academy of Family Physicians website. Available at: https://familydoctor.org/tips-for-talking-to-your-doctor.
- Prostate cancer. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: https://www.dynamed.com/condition/prostate-cancer.
- Questions to ask about prostate cancer. American Cancer Society website. Available at: https://www.cancer.org/cancer/prostate-cancer/detection-diagnosis-staging/talking-with-doctor.html.
Contributors
- Nicole S. Meregian, PA
(C) Copyright 2022 EBSCO Information Services
This content is reviewed regularly and is updated when new and relevant evidence is made available. This information is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with questions regarding a medical condition.
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