Talking to Your Doctor about Prostate Cancer
If you have been diagnosed with prostate cancer, you will want to take the time
to think about your choices and to talk with your doctor and your loved ones about
the best course of action for you. You should ask whether or not you are a candidate
for the Oncotype DX prostate cancer
test
Questions to Ask Your Doctor About Your Treatment Options
Below are some questions you can ask your doctor. Be sure to add your own questions
as you think of them. You may want to bring a note pad or recording device to capture
your doctor’s answers so that you can refer back to the information following your
appointment.
- What is my Gleason score, PSA
level and tumor stage? Do I have low-risk, intermediate-risk or high-risk prostate cancer?
- Can I be sure that the biopsy reflects all the cancer in my prostate?
- Is there a way to tell if my prostate cancer is the slow growing or fast growing type?
- Could the Oncotype DX prostate cancer test help determine whether I truly have the slow growing type of low risk cancer?
- Is my prostate cancer still localized, or has it spread to other
parts of my body?
- What are my treatment options, given the stage of my disease?
- I have heard that very few men die of prostate cancer, is that true?
- What is active surveillance , and is it an
option for me?
- What are the benefits of each treatment option? What are the drawbacks/side effects of each one?
- How long do side effects last? Do they go away once treatment is complete?
- If I choose active surveillance and later find out that the disease is higher risk, can I still have treatment and possibly be cured?
- Is it OK to take a few weeks to consider my treatment plan options before I make a decision about treatment?
- Can the Oncotype DX results help determine if active surveillance or immediate treatment is the best treatment for me?
- How can I get a copy of my pathology report and Oncotype DX test results?