Prostate Cancer
Prostate cancer is one of the most prevalent cancers in men. Despite this, many men still aren't following the recommended screening guidelines for early detection, nor are they taking important steps toward prevention. Use the Prostate Cancer Web Guide to answer your questions about prostate cancer.
Expand All Guide SectionsWhat Is Prostate Cancer?
According to experts at the Mayo Clinic, a prostate cancer diagnosis can be particularly devastating to men, not just because it's a life-threatening condition but because of its potential effects on sexuality. Explore what prostate cancer is using the links below.
Insights for Prostate Cancer
- Prostate cancer research foundations and institutes, such as the Prostate Cancer Research Foundation of Canada, offer free newsletters outlining developments in research, related articles and news, and site updates to those who wish to subscribe. If you'd like to keep on top of such information, sign up for "Prostate Cancer Connection."
- In order to fully understand prostate cancer, it can be helpful to first take a look at how a healthy prostate gland functions. This description and diagram from the University of Chicago Medical Center should do the trick.
Top Sites for Prostate Cancer
For learning about the prostate and how it is affected by cancer ...
Prostate Cancer Canada
offers information on the anatomy of the prostate, how it develops and how it functions.
American Cancer Society
reviews the basics of prostate cancer. Find a description of the anatomy of the prostate with a diagram. If you find terms and words that you don't understand, use the glossary to help you.
Cancer Research Institute
has basic information on the prostate, including understanding your PSA (a prostate-specific antigen found in your blood), choosing therapy and investigational treatments.
National Cancer Institute
offers general information on prostate cancer with diagrams that show how the prostate is formed and how a digital exam may detect an enlarged prostate gland.
For general information on prostate cancer ...
MedlinePlus
offers a multimedia tutorial on the basics of prostate cancer that's also available in a text version and in Spanish.
Prostate Cancer Symptoms and Diagnosis
Prostate cancer symptoms often don't appear until the disease has progressed beyond the prostate. Use this section to learn more about the prostate cancer symptoms and diagnosis.
Insights for Prostate Cancer Symptoms and Diagnosis
- A Digital Rectal Examination (DRE), which is a common test used to diagnose abnormalities in the prostate, is an event often dreaded and avoided by men. But this test is crucial for diagnosing prostate cancer, and it can be a lifesaver.
- On some of the following sites you'll learn techniques for broaching the subject of a prostate exam with your doctor.
Top Sites for Prostate Cancer Symptoms and Diagnosis
For prostate cancer symptoms ...
Mayo Clinic
reviews the signs and symptoms of prostate cancer. Scroll down for articles on related topics of interest.
WebMD
reviews the various prostate cancer symptoms and helps you decide if you need to visit your doctor.
For prostate cancer screening and diagnostic tests ...
Prostate Cancer Foundation
covers the methods used to detect the disease. Included are discussions of PSA (prostate-specific antigen) blood tests and digital rectal exams.
American Cancer Society
reviews the two main ways that doctors discover prostate cancer: prostate-specific antigen blood test (PSA) and digital rectal examination (DRE).
National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse
provides information on tests for prostate problems. Although not all the tests are cancer related, many of the tests are done to test for any and all prostate problems. Publications are also available in Spanish.
Lab Tests Online
has an overview of the PSA blood test that covers what it is, when it's ordered and how to interpret the results.
RadiologyInfo
provides an introduction to ultrasound imaging of the prostate. Learn the common uses of the procedure, how to prepare and how it's performed.
Prostate Cancer Prevention
Although some men might be genetically predisposed toward prostate cancer, there are steps everyone can take to reduce their chances of developing the disease. Use the sites below to learn more about prostate cancer prevention.
Insights for Prostate Cancer Prevention
- When you're searching for information on prostate cancer prevention, you'll encounter a lot of Web sites trying to sell you something. If you feel as though a site is biased toward a certain product, be sure to check its authorship and credibility.
Top Sites for Prostate Cancer Prevention
Prostate Cancer Canada
has a risk factor quiz for men to see if they are at a higher risk of developing prostate cancer. Answer the questions to discover your estimated risk.
American Cancer Society
reviews some of the risk factors for prostate cancer and also discusses how prostate cancer may be prevented in some men.
National Cancer Institute
reviews possible causes of prostate cancer, along with prevention and genetics. It also provides a quiz that can help you learn about causes and risk factors.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's
"Prostate Cancer Screening: A Decision Guide for African Americans" speaks to statistics showing that African Americans have a higher risk for prostate cancer than other populations. The guide discusses risks, screening, prevention and more.
Prostate Cancer Treatment
Cryoablation, chemotherapy and hormone therapy are a few approaches a doctor might take when treating prostate cancer. Use this section to learn about prostate cancer treatment options, including what the procedures entail, how they're conducted and what they're meant to achieve.
Insights for Prostate Cancer Treatment
- You may meet men with prostate cancer who have very different experiences than you will have. Web sites that describe the different treatments and why they're done may help you understand why different options are chosen for different men.
Top Sites for Prostate Cancer Treatment
For sites reviewing prostate cancer treatment options ...
American Urological Association Foundation
reviews the use of chemotherapy in treatment for prostate cancer. The association also has information on cryoablation in treatment, hormone therapy and surgical options.
American Cancer Society
reviews the many treatments available for prostate cancer.
Mayo Clinic
has an in-depth overview of prostate cancer treatment options including radiation, hormone therapy and chemotherapy. Also find information on alternative and complementary treatments.
For watchful waiting ...
Prostate Cancer Foundation
explains the concept of active surveillance or watchful waiting, where a prostate cancer patient schedules regular tests to monitor the progress of the cancer with the intention of postponing treatment until necessary, or forgoing it all together.
For surgery ...
Cleveland Clinic
reviews the use of laparoscopic surgery to treat prostate cancer, covering the advantages, disadvantages, possible side effects and other issues.
For finding a urologist ...
American Urological Association Foundation
provides a search feature that allows you to search for board certified urologists in your area. Although mainly used for the United States, there are urologists listed in other countries.
Living With Prostate Cancer
After a prostate cancer diagnosis, a flood of questions can arise regarding how the disease will affect daily life, what its complications might be, what side effects could occur during treatment and how a patient should cope. Use the sites below to find advice on living with prostate cancer.
Insights for Living With Prostate Cancer
- When reading about the effects of treatment, it's always important to keep in mind that not all men experience all the effects.
- Information on prostate cancer, and particularly living with prostate cancer, is helpful not only to the patient but to anyone in their social or care circle.
Top Sites for Living With Prostate Cancer
For living with prostate cancer ...
Patient Health International
a Web site of the pharmaceutical company AstraSeneca, presents "Living with prostate cancer," an article that covers issues such as the importance of follow-up care, dealing with changes in sexual relationships and living a healthy lifestyle.
Cancer Research UK
discusses many issues that may come up for someone living with prostate cancer. Links lead to such topics as talking to people about your cancer, talking to children, finances and where you can find help.
For sexual and reproductive side effects of prostate cancer...
WebMD
addresses erectile dysfunction, reviews how prostate cancer treatment can affect a man's sexuality after treatment and offers ways to cope.
Prostate Cancer Foundation
reviews the issue of fertility during and after treatment for prostate cancer.
For life after prostate cancer ...
American Cancer Society
offers an article, "Moving on After Treatment," that touches on lifestyle changes, making healthier choices, emotional health and more.
The American Cancer Society
provides this information about urinary incontinence following treatment for prostate cancer, which affects some men who survive prostate cancer.
The Cancer Information Network
presents "The Prostate Cancer Outcome Study." It's interesting and hopeful reading for men fighting prostate cancer as well as those who have finished treatment.
National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases
reviews the link between prostate cancer and the increased risk some men may have of developing osteoporosis.
Prostate Cancer Support
Understanding, compassion and empathy from others who have experienced what you, a friend or loved one has experienced can be invaluable during life with prostate cancer, and afterwards in recovery. Use this section as a resource to find prostate cancer support.
Insights for Prostate Cancer Support
- Even if you're not interested in chatting or posting in discussion forums, previously existing posts can be interesting, and occasionally insightful, reading.
- Be wary of posters who try to sell products that are supposed to help you feel better or who try to get more personal information from you. Just as you can join any group, so can someone with less than honorable intentions.
Top Sites for Prostate Cancer Support
American Urological Association Foundation
provides a patient newsletter that covers various issues in urology. When you sign up, indicate the area, such as prostate, that you are interested in learning about.
Us TOO International Prostate Cancer Education & Support Network
is an organization that provides education and support for men with prostate cancer. Search for support groups in your area using the drop-down box.
MDJunction.com
provides discussion boards for men who want to talk about prostate cancer. Ask questions, read previous discussions and perhaps join in to help others by sharing your experiences.
Prostate Cancer Research
Prostate cancer research is ongoing with many clinical trials in progress. Use the sites below to find the latest in prostate cancer research, and information on ongoing and currently recruiting clinical trials.
Insights for Prostate Cancer Research
- Be sure to check the validity of any research findings you read about on the Web. Check the date that an article was published, the date that a site was last reviewed and (by clicking on "About Us" links) the people who run the site.
Top Sites for Prostate Cancer Research
Prostate Cancer and Prostatic Diseases
allows visitors to access abstracts of published articles. In some cases, the full article is available free of charge.
Cancer
is a journal covering various cancers and their treatments. Search for "prostate cancer" to locate the abstracts for prostate-related articles.
Prostate Cancer Canada
gathers the latest news in prostate cancer. Click on the headlines to read the full articles.
CenterWatch
lists ongoing clinical studies on prostate cancer. The studies are listed by state with international studies included at the bottom.
ClinicalTrials.gov
lists ongoing clinical trials from around the United States. Each trial is clearly marked as either "recruiting" or "not yet recruiting."
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