Navigating Prostate Cancer: A Guide To Understanding Your Options

Navigating prostate cancer can make life feel out of control. It's a common concern for many older men. In fact, prostate cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed in men in the United States, after skin cancer.

According to the American Cancer Society, in 2025, about 313,780 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer. This includes an estimated 6,160 men in Indiana and 12,350 men in Illinois. It affects about one in eight men.

But today, prostate cancer survival rates are encouraging. Most men diagnosed with prostate cancer, especially when it's caught early, can survive. James Siegert, DO, a board-certified surgeon practicing at Franciscan Health Urology Olympia Fields, offers good news. As director of the Urology Residency Program and chairman of the Department of Surgery, Dr. Siegert said prostate cancer patients today have many treatment options. And with compassionate care, therapies tailored to your lifestyle and a solid support network, you can navigate the disease with hope.

In fact, the survival rate for men with localized prostate cancer (cancer that has not spread outside the prostate) or regional cancer (cancer that has spread only to nearby structures or lymph nodes but not other organs) is nearly 100 percent after five years, according to the American Cancer Society.

Learn more about prostate cancer diagnosis, prostate cancer treatment options and how support networks can enhance your journey to recovery.

How Does Prostate Cancer Screening Help Determine Your Stage?

"Prostate cancer screening starts with a physical exam - the digital rectal exam," said Dr. Siegert. "Using our finger, we assess the size of the prostate as well as areas of firmness that may indicate cancer," he said. Typically, the prostate feels like the tip of your nose. "But if it feels very firm, like your cheekbone, that's concerning."

Further screening includes a prostate-specific antigen, or PSA, blood test. This test identifies a protein made within and released in the prostate. High levels of PSA may indicate an increased risk of prostate cancer.

Doctors are still defining the role of an MRI as a prostate cancer screening tool, said Dr. Siegert.

"The primary use of prostate MRI is for men diagnosed with prostate cancer but choosing not to have treatment," he said. "We use the technology to actively monitor their cancer and make treatment decisions based on those findings." MRIs may also help diagnose men with a high cancer suspicion rate, such as those with a rising PSA after a previously negative biopsy or with a family history of prostate cancer.

What Are The Next Steps After a Prostate Cancer Diagnosis?

After a prostate cancer diagnosis, figuring out what comes next can feel overwhelming. But getting to know the specifics of your diagnosis, especially the stage of your cancer, is a critical first step. The stage of your cancer determines which treatment options you have. Stages range from Stage I (cancer is small and contained within the prostate) to Stage IV (cancer has spread outside the prostate to other body parts).

"Prostate cancer behaves very differently from one person to another, and that's why it's important to have a tailored approach to treatment," said Dr. Siegert. "For some, this might mean surgery or radiation, while for others, active surveillance is the best option."

What Treatment Options Follow A Prostate Cancer Diagnosis?

Your overall health plays a crucial role in determining the most appropriate treatment. Dr. Siegert said the best approach to treatment is personalized. It weighs how each therapy's benefits and risks will affect your situation.

According to the National Cancer Institute, an increasing number of men with low or intermediate risk levels follow a watchful approach. Doctors carefully monitor their disease for any sign of progression that might eventually require intervention. They balance this approach against the potential side effects of treatments such as surgery and radiation, including impacts on urinary and sexual function.

A decade-long study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found evidence supporting active surveillance's effectiveness and safety for certain patients.

Depending on the stage of cancer, doctors offer different treatment options:

• Active surveillance for those who decide to monitor their cancer closely before deciding on further treatment, ensuring they are ready if intervention becomes necessary.
• Surgery is often recommended for those in good health and when the tumor is in the prostate gland only.
• Radiation therapy uses both external and internal radiation within the body to precisely target and destroy cancer cells in and around the prostate.
• Chemotherapy is a medication used to stop the growth of the tumor and eliminate any cells to prevent them from dividing and multiplying.
• Hormone therapy for prostate cancer uses medications to remove or block the levels of testosterone and other male hormones that can stimulate the growth of cancer cells.
• Immunotherapy uses the body's immune system to fight cancer, enhancing its ability to recognize and destroy cancer cells.
• Targeted therapy uses medicine to target and attack specific cancer cells without harming normal cells.

How Do Treatment Decisions Impact Your Quality Of Life?

Understanding the potential side effects of cancer treatment helps you make informed decisions that align with your personal goals and lifestyle. While urinary incontinence and sexual dysfunction are significant concerns, they represent only a piece of the side effects that can impact your quality of life. Your cancer care team prioritize discussions around these impacts to ensure you are well-prepared to make choices that best suit your circumstances.

Beyond urinary incontinence and sexual dysfunction, cancer treatments such as chemotherapy, radiation therapy and surgery can lead to different physical side effects. These can include:

• Fatigue
• Nausea and vomiting
• Pain
• Hair loss
• Susceptibility to infections

The physical toll of these side effects can significantly affect daily activities, self-care and overall well-being.

The emotional and psychological toll of cancer and its treatment can be just as challenging as the physical side effects. Patients may experience:

• Anxiety and depression
• Fear of recurrence
• Changes in body image and self-esteem

These feelings can affect personal relationships, social interactions, work and hobbies.

Your cancer specialists can help you weigh these potential side effects against the benefits of treatment. By considering the full spectrum of possible outcomes, you can make choices that prioritize the quality of life you are seeking.

What Role Can Support Networks Play In Your Treatment Journey?

No one should navigate a journey through prostate cancer alone, said Dr. Siegert.

"It's important to leverage your support networks, including family, friends and healthcare professionals, to navigate the treatment challenges," he said.

Discussions about treatment should go beyond understanding the physical aspects and consider each person's emotional and psychological needs.

Family and friends provide emotional backing. They can also support in making informed decisions, understanding treatment options and coping with the day-to-day realities of living with cancer. A knowledgeable provider will offer expert guidance, monitor your progress, adjust your treatment as necessary and connect you to resources to address your overall health. Together, this holistic approach is fundamental in navigating the complexities of prostate cancer treatment.