Patients and the ProPep AdvantageIf you or someone you care about has recently been diagnosed with prostate cancer, you may have many questions and feel unsure about what to do next. This website has information to help guide you through the next steps on your journey. You can also find a doctor who can help.
This first section will help you understand prostate cancer and your treatment options. By learning more about all the options, you can make a more informed choice with your doctor.
About Prostate Cancer source
Being diagnosed with prostate cancer can raise many questions. How will prostate cancer affect my daily life? Which treatment is best for me? How effective will the treatment be? How much will it cost?
Here are some important facts about prostate cancer, from the American Cancer Society and the Centers for Disease Control:
- Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer in American men, after skin cancer.1
- About 1 out of every 6 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer.1
- Prostate cancer can be a serious disease, but most men diagnosed with it do not die from it. More than 2.5 million men in the United States are living today after being diagnosed with prostate cancer.1
- Nearly two-thirds of men diagnosed with prostate cancer are aged 65 or older.1
- Prostate cancer is rare before age 40.1
- African American men have higher rates of getting and dying from prostate cancer than men of other races.2
Treatment options source
Several treatment options are available to men who are diagnosed with early-stage prostate cancer. Treatment often begins a few weeks to a few months after diagnosis. Before you make a treatment decision, be sure to research the benefits and risks of each option.
Your treatment decision depends on many factors.
- Has your prostate cancer spread? If your prostate cancer has spread to other parts of the body, certain treatments may not be appropriate.
- What is your age? The benefits and risks of different treatments may vary with age.
- Do you have health problems other than prostate cancer? Having heart problems, diabetes, or other illnesses may affect your treatment options.
- What matters most to you? Keep in mind the benefits and risks of the different treatments, and how they will affect what you value most in life.
- How will a treatment option affect your spouse or partner? Even though the treatment choice is yours, your spouse or partner will also be affected by your decision. It is important to be open and honest with each other about your concerns.
Remember that early prostate cancer can be a curable disease, and it is possible to live a full, active life after treatment.
References
- American Cancer Society. What are the key statistics about prostate cancer? www.cancer.org/Cancer/ProstateCancer/DetailedGuide/prostate-cancer-key-statistics. Accessed August 28, 2012.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Prostate cancer screening: a decision guide for African Americans. - www.ustoo.org/PDFs/CDC_PCa_Screen_Guide_AA.pdf. Accessed April 24, 2013.