At Your Appointment

Prostate Cancer Appointment Guide

Ask the right questions at your next doctor’s appointment. Answer two questions below to personalize your appointment guide.
  • Please describe the symptoms and issues you’re having that led you to schedule this online appointment. Start at the beginning of this current episode and tell me how and when things have changed and progressed.
  • Is this the first time you've been diagnosed with prostate cancer, or is it a recurrence?
  • What other health conditions do you have? How are you treating and managing them?
  • Are you experiencing pain or other symptoms?
  • What kind of emotional and social support do you have to help you cope with prostate cancer?
  • What treatment side effects have you noticed, such as urinary, bowel, or erection problems?
  • Do you have any questions, or worries or concerns you'd like to discuss?
  • Would you be willing to consider a clinical trial?
  • Do you have new symptoms to discuss, like trouble urinating, blood in semen, or pelvic pain?
  • When did you first notice your symptoms?
  • Are your symptoms constant or do they come and go?
  • Do you have a family history of prostate cancer? What other cancers are in your family?
  • Have you had a digital rectal exam or PSA test? If yes, when was your last one? Do you remember the PSA value?
  • How well are you tolerating your prostate cancer treatment?
  • What is the treatment plan that was initially proposed to you?
  • Is there some form of treatment you'd like to avoid, if possible?
  • What new symptoms are you experiencing?
  • What is your main concern about a prostate cancer diagnosis?
  • Do my symptoms mean I have prostate cancer?
  • Could my symptoms be caused by another medical condition, such as BPH (enlarged prostate) or prostatitis (swelling and inflammation of the prostate gland)?
  • What tests do I need to find out whether it is cancer or not? How soon will I know?
  • How do you treat prostate cancer?
  • Is there anything I can do to lower my risk of prostate cancer?
  • What is my PSA level and what does it mean?
  • How aggressive is my prostate cancer? What is my Gleason score?
  • What tests do I need to find out if the cancer has spread?
  • What treatment plan do you recommend for me? And why?
  • What are the possible side effects of the treatment you are recommending? Are any of them permanent?
  • What is my prognosis, with or without beginning treatment now?
  • If I am having bad side effects from my treatments, are there other options for me?
  • Are my new symptoms related to prostate cancer or its treatment?
  • Do I need to treat my prostate cancer now? If so, what is the best treatment option for me?
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Last Review Date: 2018 Sep 17
THIS TOOL DOES NOT PROVIDE MEDICAL ADVICE. It is intended for informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Never ignore professional medical advice in seeking treatment because of something you have read on the site. If you think you may have a medical emergency, immediately call your doctor or dial 911.
  1. Prostate Cancer. American Cancer Society. https://www.cancer.org/cancer/prostate-cancer.html
  2. Prostate Cancer. Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/prostate-cancer/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20353093