Before starting treatment, you might want a second opinion about your diagnosis and treatment plan. Many insurance companies cover a second opinion if you or your doctor request it. When you do visit a doctor for a second opinion, be prepared with questions about the diagnosis and treatment plan. It may take some time and effort to gather medical records and arrange to see another doctor. Usually, it is not a problem to take several weeks to get a second opinion. In most cases, the delay in starting treatment will not make treatment less effective. To make sure, you should discuss this delay with your doctor. Some men with prostate cancer need treatment right away.

Questions to Ask Your Doctor

Decision support

Now that you have been diagnosed with prostate cancer, you are facing some critical decisions about your treatment plan. The NexProfiler™ is a decision-support system that considers your unique clinical situation. It may help you sort out the massive amount of available information and help you ask relevant questions of your doctors. It may help you eliminate options that are not right for you.

Predicting outcomes

• Almost 100% of men diagnosed with prostate cancer are still alive in 5 years*.
• Over 90% of prostate cancer cases are found while the cancer is still either local or regional, and nearly 100% of these men are still alive 5 years after being diagnosed.
• In cases where the cancer has spread to distant parts of the body, 34% survive 5 years.
• After 10 years, about 98% of men diagnosed with early-stage prostate cancer are still alive*, but only 17.6% of those diagnosed with advanced-stage prostate cancer survive 10 years*.
  *not including those who died from other causes.

National Cancer Institute (NCI): Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) Program - Fast Stats: Prostate Cancer

The Prostate Calculator can forecast the likelihood of cancer spreading outside the prostate, to the lymph nodes, PSA recurring after surgery and long-term survival.

Emotional support

You are not alone. Many have been where you are right now. The American Cancer Society's Man to Man program and the Us Too support network are available for additional knowledge and comfort during your diagnosis, treatment and recovery. Or, you may call the Arkansas Prostate Cancer Foundation at (501) 603-7433 or 1-800-338-1383 so we can put you in touch with a survivor or spouse.