Prostate Cancer Pathway - Patient Information
Men who have been diagnosed with prostate cancer need clear, useful information. The material on this section of the website can help patients better understand prostate cancer and their options for treatment.
Urologists, radiation oncologists, nurses and other health care professionals encourage you to become familiar with the information provided here. It is meant to supplement one-on-one counselling provided by health care specialists.
Downloadable Prostate Cancer Handouts
Handouts developed by health professionals to help educate men and their families about Prostate Specific Antigen testing and treatment options.
Improving access to reliable information
The government is committed to improving cancer care for Saskatchewan people. The Ministry of Health supports a provincial Prostate Cancer Education Network that is working to standardize information and make it easily accessible to patients.
Prostate Assessment Pathway
Saskatchewan has a new pathway to assess and support men in the diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer. Urologists, other health care providers and patients have been involved in developing the pathway, which will provide information and support to both patients and their families.
The pathway includes a standardized patient care process and development of prostate assessment centres in both Regina and Saskatoon. Primary care providers can refer patients directly to either centre, where nurse navigators will help support patients, provide information on tests and treatment options, and facilitate patients' journey from assessment to diagnosis and treatment.
Patient Information
The following links provide some basic information about prostate cancer you can review with your doctor.
- What is Prostate Cancer?
- What causes prostate cancer?
- Can prostate cancer be prevented?
- Prevention—patient information
- What reduces my risk?
- What increases my risk?
- What are the symptoms of prostate cancer?
- When should I call my doctor?
- What is early detection?
- What is prostate specific antigen (PSA)?
- Should I have a PSA test to screen for prostate cancer?
Understanding Prostate Cancer - Best viewed with the sound on your device turned on.
Prostate Cancer – Diagnosis and Treatment Information for Patients
Prostate Cancer Screening and Diagnosis
Men considering testing for prostate cancer should know how to prepare for testing and what to expect. This information will explain some of the terms used when testing and diagnosing prostate cancer. You and your doctor should discuss whether testing for prostate cancer is right for you.
- What tests and examinations will I have?
- What is a prostate specific antigen test?
- What is a digital rectal exam?
- What is prostate biopsy?
- Prostate screening—patient information
- What does "grade" and "gleason score" mean?
Understanding the prostate and prostate specific antigen - This video presentation explains how the prostate works, how Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) is tested, and what PSA values mean.
Prostate Biopsy - This 16- minute, multi-media presentation explains the prostate biopsy.
Making a Decision about Treatment
You have been referred to this online resource for help in making a decision about what treatment to follow for prostate cancer.
You are not alone in making this decision. Your doctor, specialist and prostate nurse navigator are all there to support you and your family. However, there are several different ways to treat prostate cancer, and each treatment has pros and cons. The best choice depends on what is most important to you personally.
This information is intended to be used during your discussions with health care providers, and does not replace the advice provided by health professionals. It will help you understand prostate cancer and the available treatment options. It will also help you think about your own values and priorities, so you can make an informed choice that is right for you.
Treatment options
More information on treatment options, multimedia presentations and printable documents outline various treatments for prostate cancer. (Link to treatment options.)
Your decision
Before you meet with your care provider to discuss treatment options, take a moment to think about what you have learned about the pros and cons of different treatments. Are there some factors that are more important to you than others?
Are you torn between the radiation and surgical treatment options? This fact sheet and quiz can help you better understand the risks associated with each and help you better understand your own feelings in the context of your life.
Additionally, here is a Personal Decision Form you can print and fill out to help you identify your personal priorities. Use your form during your discussion with a Prostate Nurse Navigator, by phone or in person. It will help you work with your care providers to select a treatment option. Your Nurse Navigator will arrange a consultation with a doctor or specialist about your preferred treatment.
Prostate Cancer Treatment Options
Nurse Navigators in the Prostate Assessment Pathway can provide you with more information and help you work with your care providers to select a treatment option. If you do not already have an appointment with a Prostate Nurse Navigator, contact a Prostate Assessment Centre:
- St. Paul's Hospital, Saskatoon - (306) 655-5420
- Pasqua Hospital, Regina - (306) 766-6210
Making a treatment decision - This video contains information that can be used when making treatment decisions.
Prostate Cancer Treatment Options
Making a decision about prostate cancer treatment can be confusing. The following information can help you learn more the risks and benefits associated with each treatment option. You and your doctor should also discuss treatments currently not available in Saskatchewan (low dose brachytherapy, cryoablation and high intensity ultrasound) to determine if one of these options is right for you.
What are some other treatment options? - An overview of treatment options.
Conservative Management of Prostate Cancer
What is "Watchful Waiting?"
Surgical treatment option
What is a radical prostectomy?
Radical Retropubic Prostectomy - Watch this 24-minute video to learn more about about the procedure, how to prepare for surgery and what to expect after a prostectomy.
What are the Risks? - Watch this 16-minute video to learn more about the potential risks associated with this surgery.
Radiation therapy
What is radiation therapy?
External Beam Radiation Therapy - Watch this 24-minute video which explains the types of radioation therapy, risks and side effects of external beam radiation therapy for prostate cancer.
Brachytherapy - Watch this 24-minute video to better understand brachytherapy for prostate cancer. The video explains how the therapy works, how to prepare for the procedure, side effects and follow-up. "Low dose" brachytherapy is not available in Saskatchewan.
Treatment options outside of Saskatchewan
You and your doctor should also discuss treatments currently not available in Saskatchewan (low dose brachytherapy, cryoablation and high intensity ultrasound) to determine if one of these options is right for you.
Cryoablation - Watch this 15-minute video for more information about cryoablation, how it works, how to prepare for the procedure, and what expect.
High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound - Watch this 19-minute video to learn more about high intensity ultrasound, how it works, how to prepare for the procdure, and what side-effects to expect.
Androgen Deprivation Therapy
Androgen is a male sex hormone. Learn more about hormone therapy medicines.
If you are considering androgen deprivation therapy, this program may be a valuable resource for you.
For more information about this option, view the video below.
The type of treatment you decide will be influenced by many factors.
Making a decision about treatment
The Prostate Assessment Pathway
Nurse Navigators in the Prostate Assessment Pathway can provide you with more information and help you work with your care providers to select a treatment option. If you do not already have an appointment with a Prostate Nurse Navigator, contact a Prostate Assessment Centre:
- St. Paul's Hospital, Saskatoon - (306) 655-5420
- Pasqua Hospital, Regina - (306) 766-6210
What Do I need to Know about Treatment Decisions?
Localized Prostate Cancer - Making a Treatment Decision - Multimedia presentation (33 minutes) containing information that can be used when making treatment decisions.
Should I Have Radiation Therapy or a Prostectomy?
After Treatment – How to Cope
Coping with side-effects of cancer treatment can be stressful. The following are some recommendations and treatments that may be able to help you. You should discuss with your doctor what to expect after treatment.
- Managing stress
- Getting help and support
- Home therapies
- Controlling pain
- More on cancer pain
- Nausea and vomitting
- Sleeping problems
- What is erectile dysfunction?
- What is advanced or metastic prostate cancer?
- What is urinary incontinence?
- End of life care