| Being diagnosed with prostate cancer is a big shock | | | | incontinence however younger individuals often |
| for anyone however you should not immediately | | | | decide that they would rather choose an alternative |
| write your life off as there are a number of very | | | | option with a lower success rate but less severe side |
| successful prostate cancer treatments now available. | | | | effects. This decision is ultimately down to you and |
| You will need to meet with your oncologist to fully | | | | your preferences for the future should also be |
| discuss your options and to decide which type of | | | | discussed with your oncologist before making any |
| treatment is best for you. This will depend to some | | | | decisions. |
| extent on the progression of your cancer as some | | | | Your age will also play a large part in which prostate |
| types of prostate cancer treatments are not suitable | | | | cancer treatment you choose. Elderly men i.e. 70+ |
| for late stage and terminal cases. Your decision will | | | | often decide to do nothing with regards to |
| also need to take into account which side effects | | | | treatment as prostate cancer is in many cases a |
| you can cope with as some men find that impotence | | | | very slow growing disease and so the symptoms |
| and urinary incontinence cause more distress than the | | | | may not be felt during a lifetime. Alternatively you |
| actual cancer. | | | | may wish to look into the possibility of hormone |
| Your individual circumstances will also have an effect | | | | therapy which slows down the diseases progression |
| on the treatment you receive. Age, overall health, | | | | but does not actually do anything to treat it, and |
| other medical problems and the amount of emotional | | | | there are no embarrassing side effects attached. |
| support you have at home and at work all need to | | | | If you have not yet reached your 70th birthday or |
| be taken in to consideration. Your oncologist will be | | | | you have and are still young at heart then other |
| able to weigh up the details and decide on the best | | | | prostate cancer treatments need to be considered. |
| course of treatment; however, if you find yourself | | | | Surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy are the |
| disagreeing with anything they suggest you must say | | | | commonly used treatments and any combination of |
| so as only you know how you feel and how you will | | | | the three can be incorporated into a regime to suit |
| cope with the recommended prostate cancer | | | | you. |
| treatment. | | | | Ultimately however the decision is down to you. Talk |
| One of the biggest things to consider when choosing | | | | to your family and your oncologist and consider your |
| a form of prostate cancer treatment is what you | | | | options carefully. Every case is different and needs |
| want to achieve. Many men simply want to be rid of | | | | to be treated on an individual basis so decide what it |
| the disease and do not have a problem with the | | | | is you want to achieve and go from there. |
| possibility of long-lasting side effects such as | | | | |