Empower Yourself: What to Know After a Prostate Cancer Diagnosis

Prostate cancer is a malignant tumor that develops in the prostate gland, a small, walnut-shaped organ in men that produces the seminal fluid that nourishes and transports sperm. It's one of the most common cancers among men worldwide, but most cases are slow-growing and confined to the prostate gland, where they may not cause serious harm. However, some types are aggressive and can spread quickly.

Risk factors for prostate cancer include increasing age (it's most common after age 50), a family history of the disease and certain genetic mutations. Early-stage prostate cancer often has no symptoms. As it progresses, you may experience difficulty urinating, blood in the urine or semen, or bone pain.

How Is Prostate Cancer Diagnosed?

If your doctor suspects you may have prostate cancer, a comprehensive diagnostic process is used to confirm the diagnosis and determine the cancer's stage and grade. The process often includes:

• Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test: A high level of PSA, a protein produced by the prostate, can indicate prostate cancer. However, high PSA can also be caused by other conditions, so it's not a definitive diagnostic tool on its own.
• Digital rectal exam (DRE): During a DRE, a doctor uses a gloved, lubricated finger to feel for any abnormalities on the prostate gland.
• Prostate biopsy: This is the only way to confirm a diagnosis. A small tissue sample is taken from the prostate and examined under a microscope. The biopsy results are used to determine the Gleason score, which grades the cancer's aggressiveness. A higher Gleason score indicates a more aggressive cancer.
• Imaging tests: Imaging tests like an MRI, CT scan or bone scan may be used to see if the cancer has spread beyond the prostate.

Dr. David A. Taub, a urologist and the director of urologic oncology at Eugene M. & Christine E. Lynn Cancer Institute at Boca Raton Regional Hospital, part of Baptist Health, explained in an interview with CURE that patients with more advanced disease typically present with bone pain and/or fractures, blood in the urine or difficulty urinating.

“While most people with these symptoms have a condition other than prostate cancer, that's how the disease presented itself a long time ago,” Taub said. “Since the advent of the PSA test in the late 1980s or early 1990s, prostate cancer is now caught much earlier in a screening format, similar to a colonoscopy. We can now detect it with just an elevated or changing blood test result.”

How Is Prostate Cancer Treated?

Treatment for patients with prostate cancer depends on several factors, including the stage and grade of the cancer, a patient’s overall health and their personal preferences. The main options are:

• Active surveillance: For many men with slow-growing, low-risk prostate cancer, the best approach is to monitor the cancer with regular PSA tests and biopsies. This avoids the side effects of more aggressive treatments while still ensuring the cancer is caught if it becomes more active.

“A lot of the prostate cancer we diagnose is slower-growing and lower-volume,” Taub explained in the interview. “Good studies from England or Europe have shown that some of these earlier-stage and non-aggressive cancers can be present for 10 or 15 years and not really cause any increase in death or problems. Therefore, watching the cancer, or surveilling it, is an option. We do that by checking the PSA on a more regular basis (about twice a year), checking the MRI a bit more frequently, and repeating biopsies to ensure nothing is progressing. Active surveillance is the mainstay for low-risk prostate cancer.”

• Surgery: A radical prostatectomy is a surgical procedure to remove the entire prostate gland and some surrounding tissue. It is a common treatment for cancer that is confined to the prostate.
• Radiation therapy: This treatment uses high-energy beams to kill cancer cells. It can be delivered externally (external beam radiation) or internally using radioactive seeds placed in the prostate (brachytherapy).
• Hormone therapy: Because prostate cancer cells often rely on the male hormone testosterone to grow, hormone therapy, or androgen deprivation therapy, is used to lower testosterone levels. It's often used for more advanced cancer or in combination with other treatments.
• Chemotherapy: Chemotherapy drugs are used to kill cancer cells throughout the body. It's typically used for advanced prostate cancer that has spread to other parts of the body.
• Immunotherapy: This treatment harnesses the body's immune system to fight cancer cells. It is a newer option for advanced prostate cancer.

Living With Prostate Cancer

Living with prostate cancer is a journey that requires physical and emotional support. Side effects from treatment, such as urinary incontinence and erectile dysfunction, are common and can be managed with professional help. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle with a balanced diet and regular exercise can also help manage symptoms and improve your overall well-being.

• Coping with side effects: Don't be afraid to talk to your doctor about any side effects you're experiencing. There are many treatments and strategies available to help manage them, including physical therapy for urinary issues and medications for erectile dysfunction.
• Emotional well-being: A cancer diagnosis can be overwhelming. Joining a support group, talking to a counselor or connecting with other survivors can be incredibly helpful. Your emotional health is just as important as your physical health.
• Follow-up care: Regular follow-up appointments and PSA tests are crucial to monitor your recovery and detect any signs of recurrence.

Bob Lane, a prostate cancer survivor, spoke to CURE about how his cancer diagnosis gave him a reference point to share with others.

“It’s good to have a partner, a loved one, or a significant other with you for these conversations,” Lane emphasized. “When a diagnosis hits you out of nowhere, your brain kind of stops, and it helps to have someone else there to take notes, think clearly, and hear everything more clearly than you can. That was important to me, and at some point, I pivoted with that thought.”

Moving Forward With Your Prostate Cancer Journey

A diagnosis of prostate cancer is a significant event, but understanding the disease and your options is the first step toward effective management. With early detection and the wide range of available treatments, the prognosis for most men with prostate cancer is generally excellent. This overview is intended to be a starting point for your conversation with your oncologist, who can help you develop a personalized treatment plan that is right for you. Your active participation and open communication with your healthcare team will be key to navigating your cancer journey successfully.

Editor’s Note: This guide is designed to be a starting point. Your personal experience will be unique. By using this information as a foundation for your discussions, you can partner with your oncologist to make the best decisions for your health.

References

CURE. “Prostate Cancer Awareness Month: Focus on Detection and Treatment.” CURE, Sept. 3, 2025. https://www.curetoday.com/view/prostate-cancer-awareness-month-focus-on-detection-and-treatment

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