Being a caregiver

A prostate cancer diagnosis can be devastating for you and your family, but you have options.

At this confusing time, you may have questions about how to help your loved one on his prostate cancer journey.

Supporting a loved one with prostate cancer:
What can you do?

    Get information

    Be a support system for your loved one by learning about his specific disease. Not all prostate cancers are the same, and can vary largely from patient to patient.

    Get involved

    Attend appointments and be prepared to ask questions. Explore treatment options and discover how Prolaris can help personalize his treatment.

    Join in the fight

    You are not alone. For additional support, click here for a list of support communities and advocacy groups.

How to prepare for your doctor’s appointment

Attending doctors’ appointments can be scary, and you may feel overwhelmed with information. It is important to gather as much insight as you can about the cancer. Ask the following questions if you are attending a doctor’s appointment with a loved one. They can help you both begin making decisions about the ideal prostate cancer care plan.

1

What is his Gleason score?

2

Has his cancer spread?

3

How aggressive is his cancer?

4

What is his risk group?

5

Is Prolaris right for him?

6

What is the best treatment based on his risk group and stage?

7

What are side effects associated with treatment options?

8

Are his children or other family members at risk?

Prolaris makes your treatment decisions easier

Men with prostate cancer have many treatment options, including:

    Active Surveillance

    Surgery

    Hormone Therapy

    Radiation Therapy

    Chemotherapy & New Therapy

These treatments may be used alone or in combination with one another. The doctor should be able to describe the treatment choices, the expected results and the possible side effects of each treatment. You, your loved one, and his doctor should work together to develop a treatment plan. Before treatment starts, ask your doctor about possible side effects and how treatment may change your normal activities.