Beginning the journey of treatment

Hello Richard, I’m sorry to hear of your diagnosis and I can well appreciate and understand your fear.  I am the sort of person who needs to have as much information as possible to be able to talk through options etc with my husband.  I found the Prostate Cancer UK  website had loads of info as a starting point https://prostatecanceruk.org/. They have lots of downloadable booklets on all aspects of diagnosing, treating etc. the MacMillan centre in our oncology unit also had a lot of hard copy info - I guess they might have it on line, too?

the more informed you are the better able you are to work out what are the best choices to make for yourself. If you have a wife/ partner then do discuss it together. This is an illness that affects both partners in a relationship.

we have typed and printed out all our questions in advance of any consultation. My husband has a copy, I have a copy and we have presented the doctors with a copy. The questions have arisen from things we have read on this forum and also from what we have read elsewhere. This has also helped us feel as if we have had a bit of control over something that really pulled the rug from under our feet!!

you specifically ask what questions you should ask. Well, I don’t know your medical history but from what you have said, I would definitely ask what treatment  options there are, what the side effects of the treatment are, how can any side affects be dealt with etc.  

It’s important to note that prostate cancer is very often slow growing and that the hormone treatment puts an end to the growth and spread. The cancer does eventually learn how to evade the affect of the hormone therapy on its own but they now have quite an armoury of drugs to manage the cancer. Our oncologist told us that it is a marathon and not a sprint and it is a bit like diabetes - a long term, chronic condition - not necessarily curable but manageable.

I hope this helps and I do hope your appointment with the oncologist goes well. I’m sure lots of others will reply to you here and that you will gain a lot of very useful advice. I wish you all the very best on this journey.

Hi Richard

So sorry to hear of your issues. This is a very hard choice (I didn't have any choice) and as WW says you must do your homework on the pros and cons of any treatment offered.

You are already on hormones, these do a great job in holding back the cancer growth and give you the chance to explore the options open to you. At 79 if you are fit then I would think most options will be available to you. I would research into the various treatments available to you and armed with this information see what the oncologist has to offer - be aware most treatments come with their own set of side effects.

Best wishes however you continue your journey - keep us posted - you are not alone - we are all with you in this together.

Brian.