About prostate cancer
The walnut-sized prostate gland, part of the male reproductive system, is below the bladder. The urethra, which carries urine and semen, passes through the gland. One in six men develops prostate cancer, in which abnormal cells grow uncontrolled. The disease is most easily controlled when confined to the prostate, before it spreads elsewhere and becomes life-threatening. About 30,000 men die annually from prostate cancer, but YES, it is treatable. With timely therapy, prognosis for long-term survival is often excellent.
Prostate cancer treatments include:
Treatment methods are determined by disease stage, age and general health of the patient, and other considerations. To varying degrees, men experience any of four treatment-related, potentially life-altering side effects:
The Yolo Prostate Cancer Support Group is a forum in which men can obtain information and discuss their concerns with other men who have been diagnosed with prostate cancer. In our meetings, men discuss their diagnoses, conditions and treatment progress, and learn about:
Visit our Downloads and Links page for our online library of informative materials and authoritative sources where you can learn more.
Prostate cancer treatments include:
- Surgery, to remove the gland
- Cryosurgery, freezing the gland’s cells
- External beam radiation
- Internal radiation, called brachytherapy
- Hormone therapy, to lower testosterone
- Chemotherapy, the use of drugs
- Active surveillance (watchful waiting)
Treatment methods are determined by disease stage, age and general health of the patient, and other considerations. To varying degrees, men experience any of four treatment-related, potentially life-altering side effects:
- incontinence (urine control problems)
- erectile dysfunction (ED)
- sexual impotence
- depression
The Yolo Prostate Cancer Support Group is a forum in which men can obtain information and discuss their concerns with other men who have been diagnosed with prostate cancer. In our meetings, men discuss their diagnoses, conditions and treatment progress, and learn about:
- disease detection procedures
- interpretation of lab tests and pathology reports that indicate presence of cancer
- selection of a treatment approach
- treatment results in cancer suppression and accompanying side effects
- long-term survivorship, and confronting diagnosis that cancer has returned
Visit our Downloads and Links page for our online library of informative materials and authoritative sources where you can learn more.