The Urologic Cancer Patient Care Team at the Ireland Cancer Center provides a personalized treatment approach. Many factors are considered when a doctor makes a treatment recommendation:

• Age
• Stage (or extent) of cancer
• Grade (or aggressiveness) of cancer
• Overall health
• Personal considerations of the patient

Several treatment options may be offered:

• Watchful waiting
• Surgery
• Radiation Therapy
• Hormone Therapy
• Chemotherapy

Making a treatment decision may seem overwhelming to you. These hints may help you during the decision making process:

• Take time to meet with different specialists or doctors about your treatment options. These specialists may include a urologist, radiation oncologist, and medical oncologist.
• Ask your doctors what are the risks and benefits of each type of treatment. Talk with the doctors about how the treatment will affect your quality of life.
• Read about prostate cancer. Write down your questions and take them with you when you see the doctor.
• Talk with your spouse, friends, or family members.

Consider joining a support group. Support groups offer the opportunity to talk with other men who have prostate cancer and also provide educational sessions about prostate cancer, resources, and coping strategies.