Worried about your referral to see a urologist? Consider the Prolaris® test for peace of mind

Hello to my dedicated followers, and welcome to our new readers. I’m Geoff McLennan, a 12-year Active Surveillance (AS) patient and advocate whose aim is to give you more confidence throughout your prostate cancer journey.  In this post we’re going to look at what it’s like for a new patient who has just learned he’s been diagnosed with localized prostate cancer (PCa), after his primary care provider (PCP) has referred him to a urology clinic. I’ll take you through several appointments and describe what to expect.

Meeting with your urologist

Your PCP should have explained the reason for referring you to a urologist, it could be for pain you reported, sexual problems, or your PCP’s good clinical practice. Don’t assume that prostate pain is cancer. Some common, noncancerous prostate disorders include infection and muscle or stress-related causes.

Heading to your first appointment with a urologist can be alarming, especially if your doctor has expressed concern after performing a digital rectal exam (DRE)or getting results of a prostate specific antigen (PSA) test.

At your first appointment you meet with the urologist, see the male anatomy image on the exam room wall, and begin to wonder if you have prostate cancer or one of many other prostate ailments, such as benign prostate hyperplasia/BPH, prostatitis, or a urinary tract infection.

A prostate cancer diagnosis

At the next appointment you’re back looking at the same anatomy chart in the exam room. But this time you get some unsettling news: your PSA test result is high, and a biopsy of the prostate is necessary to check for other ailments, including cancer. The urologist recommends that you undergo the biopsy soon. You go through the biopsy procedure, somewhat awkward but not painful, and await results. At the next urology appointment, you get the news: you have prostate cancer with a low or intermediate Gleason score.

When I learned about my PCa diagnosis, I was panicked for nearly a week. I wish I knew then what I know now. I called friends who had been treated for PCa and was scared by the description of their treatments such as androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) which may have many negative side effects on a man’s body including erectile disfunction, hot flashes, fatigue and more.

Luckily, you no longer need to stress about being over or undertreated, or comparing yourself to other PCa patients and their treatments. Finally, there are tests that can give you a clear answer on whether you need treatment or can safely be monitored on active surveillance.

Genetic testing provides clarity about your specific cancer.

A genetic test may be recommended to you by your urologist, if it’s not, feel free to ask your doctor for these medical grade tests. Prolaris testing combines tools like Gleason score and PSA with a personalized tumor score to determine how aggressive your prostate cancer is. This form of testing can determine if you can safely monitor your cancer under active surveillance, or if you need treatment, such as surgery, radiation, or a combination of the two with androgen deprivation therapy (ADT).

The Prolaris test is performed using tissue from your recent prostate biopsy for the testing; another biopsy is not necessary.

Reviewing your Prolaris test results

With the Prolaris test, you’ll receive a personal summary page written for ease of understanding. If your Prolaris results indicate you’re a candidate for active surveillance, you will need to follow an AS protocol, including periodic PSA testing and appointments with your urologist, possibly the MRI, and possibly more biopsies. If your results indicate a more aggressive cancer, you may be a candidate for a single form of therapy like surgery or radiation, or multiple forms of therapy. Luckily, the Prolaris test can provide you the benefit of adding ADT to your treatment, or if you can safely avoid it.

Your Prolaris Score is scientifically proven to give you reliable information that will help you and the urologist chart a cancer care path with confidence. To learn more about each section of your personalized results, watch the detailed report overview below.

Be mindful that regardless of your Prolaris score, it is important to collaborate closely with your medical team, including your PCP, urologist, radiologist, and oncologist as necessary. As we like to say at the ASPI men’s support group, “Learn, live and Thrive” with PCa.

Given this medical journey with the enlightening Prolaris test, you have a golden opportunity to cease worry.  Plan those vacations, fishing trips, and maybe even the World Series playoffs. Still undecided on a new set of professional grade golf clubs?

Thank you for reading my blog post.

Read more like this: Biomarker Testing: Empowering Patients in Prostate Cancer Management

Geoff McLennan, MPA, Prostate Cancer Patient and Advocate

Author Bio:

Geoff is dedicated to helping families and friends support a prostate cancer patient. He joined the board of Active Surveillance Patients International (ASPI) in 2018 and is an 11-year PCa patient. As a PCa patient advocate, he envisions providing a broad understanding of how patients can collaborate with clinicians for realistic medical care. He enjoys meeting and learning from his clinicians, cancer researchers, providing free online programs for patients, and reminds us that “to live, learn and thrive with PCa” is the motto of ASPI. He is glad he took science courses for understanding a healthy lifestyle that includes exercise and diet.

Geoff also volunteers as a board member and past chairman of the Placer County Mental Health Advisory Board where his interest includes therapy and resources for AS men, and a broad oversight of community mental health programs and innovations. He is married to Constance McLennan, a fine artist, has a grown son, and lives in Northern California.

*Disclaimer: The views expressed in this blog are solely those of the author, and do not represent the views or opinions of Myriad Genetics or its affiliates. It is important to consult with your healthcare provider. Geoff is a paid content writer for Myriad Genetics, Inc.