Newly Diagnosed with Prostate Cancer?

info via Malecare, Inc for

Newly Diagnosed Guys w/Prostate Cancer

No rash decisions

First:

Make no decisions until you are comfortably informed about your situation. Read at least some of the patient and doctor written articles about cancer symptoms, treatment and causes. Prostate cancer tends to be progress slowly. There is usually no need for urgency. But make no mistake... some men do die from cancer. It is vital to take time to understand what you can do to save your life.

No question is a dumb one

Second:

Ask questions about your cancer diagnosis and cancer treatment. Answers about cancer won't find you, you have to ask. Please don't assume that your doctor will tell you everything that you need to know. There are lists of questions for you to ask about cancer on the Malecare site. Prostate cancer treatment may extend your life, but might also cause collateral damage or side effects, such as incontinence or impotence. Even the best treatment choice may have consequences you probably won't like. The prostate is surrounded by the nerves controlling erections and lies close to the bladder and bowel, so there are significant risks of damage during treatment to sexual potency, continence (ability to control urine retention) and bowel function. Learn about the difference between cancer cure and cancer treatment.

Ask around

Third:

Speak with other guys at a prostate cancer support group. Hear our stories. Put your natural fears into a better perspective. Cancer treatments, symptoms, diagnosis, and causes can be confusing...we are here to help. Most men expect their doctor to recommend whatever treatment they need. They are surprised and anxious when the doctor discusses several possible treatments and says the patient has to decide for himself which one to choose. Think about speaking with a urologist, a radiation oncologist and a medical oncologist before making any decision about treatment, to get a balanced picture of the benefits and drawbacks of all the cancer treatment options available to you.

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Malecare, Inc. is a national nonprofit organization, founded in 1997.

Malecare develops practical, life saving programs to address the problem of men dying sooner than women and is known for its pioneering work in developing psycho-social interventions for gay and bisexual men diagnosed with cancer.

In 2005, created the OutWithCancer LGBT Cancer Survivor Project, providing services and research regarding the effects of cancer on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender people.

OutWithCancer has since gone on to become our country’s first national nonprofit LGBT cancer survivor network.

Resources and support:

malecare.org
outwithcancer.org and
lgbtcancer.org

Related: Check out the recent LifeLube post Feel Yourself Up for info on how to do a testicular self-exam