The diagnosis of prostate cancer greatly influences the choice of treatment. In fact, the results of the biopsy and the various tests determine two key indicators, namely the grade (Gleason score) and the stage of prostate cancer. The grade specifies the degree of aggressiveness of cancer while the stage indicates its degree of spread. These two indicators make it possible to determine the level of evolution of prostate cancer: localized, locally advanced, or metastatic. Our diagnostic page deals in detail with the type and risk of progression.

Prostate cancer can progress in different ways. Local cancer can progress slowly or not at all with a very low risk of spreading beyond the prostate. On the other hand, cancer can grow faster and spread to the rest of the body.

Therefore, the grade and stage help the doctor determine how prostate cancer is likely to behave and which treatments would be best suited.

Learn about the results of your biopsy and tests and your treatment options

Do not hesitate to ask your urologist for information on the evolution (degree of aggressiveness and spread) of your prostate cancer, the results of your tests, and the treatment options available. Make sure you take the time to reflect on what’s right for you and gather all the information you need.

After your diagnosis, appointments with your doctor may seem overwhelming. There are several solutions available to help reduce your anxiety and make sure you collect all the information you are looking for. A good idea is to write down your questions in advance and then refer to them during your appointments. You may also want to be accompanied by a loved one who can take notes to help you remember what was said.

Diagnosing prostate cancer can be a difficult ordeal. Sometimes you may need to confide your feelings and concerns to someone you trust. Do not hesitate to contact your loved ones or our professionals specialized in uro-oncology for support and any type of help.

List of questions to ask your doctor

Your doctor is there to help. Be sure to keep communication open and honest about your concerns about your diagnosis results and treatment options.

Here are some suggested questions to ask following your prostate cancer diagnosis.

• What are the risks if my cancer is not treated quickly? Do I need additional testing?
• What are my treatment options? Which one do you recommend?
• What is your experience with this treatment?
• Do the treatments have any side effects, if so, what are they? Are the consequences short or long-term? What is the likelihood of post-treatment side effects? Can they be prevented or treated?
• Will my lifestyle change during treatment? What elements will change and why? Should I stop working during the treatment? Can I still have a sex life during and after the treatment?
• When and where will my treatment take place? How long does it last?
• What will the convalescence be like?
• Can my prostate cancer be cured? What should we do if he reappears?

Take the time to visit each of our pages on this website, as well as our YouTube channel, in order to get familiar with the disease with our expert lectures, our section on available resources, the support that is offered to you.

Do you have any questions or concerns? Above all, do not hesitate. Contact us at 1 855 899-2873 to discuss with a nurse specializing in uro-oncology. It’s simple and free, like all our services.

Pages of our site that might interest you
Want to know more? Just click on one of the links below.
Coping with cancer
To know more about prediction tools, click here
Support for you

PROCURE news that may interest you
Each week, we publish a blog article. Here are a few for you.
Case stories: Réal, Jean-Michel and Louis
Case stories: Yvon and William
Case stories: Laurent and Charles
Case stories: Jean-François and Michel
I was ready for anything except… Jean’s story

Sources and references
Prostate Cancer – Understand the disease and its treatments; Fred Saad, MD, FRCSC and Michael McCormack, MD, FRCSC; Fifth edition, entirely revised and updated, 2019. © Fred Saad and Michael McCormack, 2019 – Annika Parance Publishing

Written by PROCURE. © All rights reserved – 2021