Prostate Cancer is the leading death among men in America. Like any cancer, early diagnosis is key to survival. There are many treatment options available and they can be a bit confusing. Each has its own benefits and risks and may not be an option for each person. Many treatment options depend on your age, lifestyle, cancer stage, and other medical conditions.
Doctors recommend men over the age of 35 to get regular prostate exams. If the cancer is found early, you will have a much higher chance in winning this battle. This stage of the cancer is considered low risk and is the most easiest to cure.
There are basic treatment options for men with early-stage prostate cancer. This includes radiation therapy and surgery. Men with a more advanced disease will be considered for hormone and chemotherapy. This is used usually for older men. Doctors must provide you with all benefits and risks for all procedures. You as the patient must consent to any treatment given. If you believe the treatment is not the best option, you must suggest other treatment options.
When choosing a provider to treat your prostate cancer, you must consider different factors. You will interact with many different physicians especially during the beginning of your diagnosis. Your general practitioner treats patients for general complaints. When there is a major issue with your health, he or she will refer you to an urologist for examination. Urologists study the reproductive organs for both male and female. The doctor will decide what the best treatment is for your personal health problems.
Surgery might be the best option for certain men. The cancer will be removed from the prostate before spreading to other organs in the body. This treatment is considered for mostly for younger patients. Elder patients with the early-stage cancer can receive radiation therapy and achieve the same results as younger men with surgery.
Your doctors will request many tests in order to diagnosis you correctly. This may include blood tests, MRI'S, cystoscopy, or CAT scans. These procedures require trained nurses and special equipment. During this stressful time you must choose your physicians carefully. Each doctor will help you in a certain why. You may choose doctors who are located close to each other since you could be seeing multiple doctors a day. Most hospitals in any area are prepared for prostate cancer patients. Men are diagnosis with prostate cancer every day. Technology improves year after year and hospitals are conducting clinical trials and new treatment options. Make sure you choose your providers and facilities carefully. If you are not satisfied for any reason you have the full right to make changes. After all, this is your life that is in danger so choose wisely.
