How to know if your specialist is the right one for you?

It is very likely that you will meet many people who are good resources and can help you. However, once you have been diagnosed with prostate cancer, your primary doctor will be your urologist. Your family doctor will also be informed of your diagnosis in order to monitor your overall health. Your urologist is probably the one you will speak to most. If necessary, you may be referred to a radiation oncologist, medical oncologist, or doctor specializing in palliative care.

Once you have picked a urologist, there are a number of questions you can ask if you are waiting for your diagnosis or if you have received a prostate cancer diagnosis.

General

• What percentage of your practice is dedicated to treating prostate cancer?
• What is the grade and stage of my cancer currently?
• What are my treatment options?
• What are the advantages and disadvantages of each?
• What are the risks of my cancer being cured/returning after treatment?

Radical prostatectomy

• How many radical prostatectomies do you perform each year?
• Do you perform radical prostatectomies laparoscopically? Am I a good candidate?
• What are the risks of bladder control problems following a radical prostatectomy?
• What are the risks of erectile dysfunction (having or maintaining an erection) after a radical prostatectomy in my situation?

Radiation Therapy / Brachytherapy

• Do you offer external beam radiation therapy and brachytherapy?
• What are the criteria for a good candidate for brachytherapy? Am I a good candidate?
• What are the risks of bladder control problems following radiation therapy or brachytherapy?
• What are the risks of erectile dysfunction (having or maintaining an erection) following radiation therapy or brachytherapy?

Hormone Therapy

• What does hormone therapy involve?
• What are its side effects?

Chemotherapy

• What type of chemotherapy is used to treat prostate cancer?
• What are its side effects?
• Is chemotherapy very toxic?

Palliative Care

• I am no longer responding to the treatments I am receiving for prostate cancer. Can you help me?
• Please also see our section Your team and your questions.