Prostate Cancer

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:

• Prostate cancer is a cancer of the prostate gland (male sex gland) that helps make semen. The prostate gland is about the size of a walnut and wraps around the urethra and the neck of the bladder. The bladder is the hollow organ that holds urine. The urethra is a tube that carries urine from the bladder and out through the penis. Cancer occurs when abnormal cells grow and divide without control or order, often making too much tissue (tumor). Cancer cells may grow into nearby healthy tissue. They may also break away from the tumor and travel through the blood stream or lymphatic system to other parts of the body. When cancer spreads, it is called metastasis.
  
  
• No one knows for sure what causes prostate cancer. There are many different ways to treat prostate cancer. The prostate needs testosterone, a male hormone, to make semen but testosterone may make the cancer grow. You may need hormone medicine to block the testosterone. Surgery or radiation may be done to treat prostate cancer. Two or more kinds of treatment may sometimes be used together, such as medicine and radiation. You may also choose medicine and surgery to treat your cancer.

AFTER YOU LEAVE:

Medicines:

• Keep a written list of the medicines you take, the amounts, and when and why you take them. Bring the list of your medicines or the pill bottles when you see your caregivers. Learn why you take each medicine. Ask your caregiver for information about your medicine. Do not use any medicines, over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, herbs, or food supplements without first talking to caregivers.
  
  
• Always take your medicine as directed by caregivers. Call your caregiver if you think your medicines are not helping or if you feel you are having side effects. Do not quit taking your medicines until you discuss it with your caregiver. If you are taking medicine that makes you drowsy, do not drive or use heavy equipment.

• If you are getting hormone therapy, it is important to take your medicine exactly as you are told.
  
  
• If you are taking a pain medicine, especially if given as an injection, your family should learn how to give it. Ask your caregiver to show you how to do this. Take enough medicine to stay comfortable.

Chemotherapy:

• This medicine, often called chemo, is used to treat cancer. It works by killing tumor cells. Chemotherapy may also be used to shrink lymph nodes that have cancer in them. Once the tumor is smaller, you may need surgery to cut out the rest of the cancer.
  
  
• Many different chemotherapy medicines are used to treat cancer. You may need blood tests often. These blood tests show how your body is doing and how much chemotherapy is needed. Chemotherapy can have many side effects. Caregivers will watch you closely and will work with you to decrease side effects. Chemotherapy can cure some cancers. Even if the chemotherapy does not cure your cancer, it may help you feel better or live longer.

Ask your caregiver when to return for a follow-up visit. Keep all appointments. Write down any questions you may have. This way you will remember to ask these questions during your next visit.

Wellness hints:

• Activity: You may feel like resting more. Match your activity to the amount of energy you have. Nap a couple of times during the day if you can. Going to bed early and getting up late may also help.
  
  
• Diet: It is important that you get good nutrition when you have cancer. Eat a variety of healthy foods from all the food groups. The food groups include breads, vegetables, fruits, milk and milk products, and protein (beans, eggs, poultry, meat and fish). Eating healthy foods may help you feel better and have more energy. You may need to make diet changes depending on your tolerance, the location of your cancer, or treatment side effects. For example, if you have trouble swallowing, try eating foods that are soft or in liquid form. Ask your caregiver if you should add special drinks or vitamins to your diet. Tell your caregiver if you are nauseated, vomiting, or have other problems eating or digesting your food.
  
  
• Drinking liquids: Men 19 years old and older should drink about 3.0 Liters of liquid each day (close to 13 eight-ounce cups). Women 19 years old and older should drink about 2.2 Liters of liquid each day (close to 9 eight-ounce cups). It is especially important to drink enough liquids if you are vomiting. Ask your caregiver how much liquid you should drink each day. For most people, healthy liquids to drink are water, juices, and milk. If you are used to drinking liquids that contain caffeine, such as coffee, these can be counted in your daily liquid amount.
  
  
• Personal care: Learn how to do catheter care if you need a catheter to drain your urine. Ask your caregiver for more information about catheter care. Some patients may have problems with urine leakage after prostate cancer treatment.
  
  
• Sex: Some patients may have problems with sex after getting cancer. These problems usually do not last forever and most can be helped. Talk to your caregivers if you are worried. He can help you find ways to handle these problems.

For more information and support: Accepting that you have cancer is hard. You and those close to you may feel scared, depressed, angry, or sad. These are normal feelings. Talk to your caregivers, family, or friends about your feelings. You may also want to join a cancer support group. This is a group of people who also have prostate cancer. Contact the following for more information:

• American Cancer Society
  Phone: 1-800-227-2345
  Web Address: http://www.cancer.org
  

• National Cancer Institute
  Phone: 1-800-422-6237
  Web Address: http://www.cancer.gov
  

CONTACT A CAREGIVER IF:

• You have a fever (increased body temperature).
  
  
• You are vomiting (throwing up) and cannot keep any food or liquids down.
  
  
• You cannot make it to your radiation therapy visit.
  
  
• You are so sad you feel you cannot cope with your illness.
  
  
• You have blood in your urine or have trouble urinating.
  
  
• You have a blocked catheter or a problem with your catheter.
  
  
• You have pain that does not decrease or go away after taking your medicine.
  
  
• You have questions or concerns about your cancer or care.

SEEK CARE IMMEDIATELY IF:

• You have chest pain.
  
  
• You have trouble breathing.
  
  
• Your leg swells up or hurts.

Copyright © 2008 Thomson Healthcare Inc. All rights reserved. Information is for End User's use only and may not be sold, redistributed or otherwise used for commercial purposes.

The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

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