PROSTATE CANCER QUIZ
Courtesy of AstraZeneca

1. "Watchful Waiting" is still a top option for this slow-growing cancer.

False. While watchful waiting was once a leading option for many men, these days it's recommended mostly for elderly men -- or those with serious health issues -- who have early-stage, slow-growing prostate cancer. The odds are they will die of some other cause before their cancer causes poor health. For most men, doctors now recommend treatment with surgery, radiation, and/or hormone therapy. Today's treatments are markedly improved, and less likely to cause major side effects. So the benefits of treatment usually outweigh the risks.

2. Surgery always causes impotence or incontinence.

False. For most men, doctors now recommend treatment with surgery, radiation, and/or hormone therapy. Today's treatments are markedly improved, and less likely to cause major side effects. So the benefits of treatment usually outweigh the risks. Watchful waiting (closely monitoring a patient's condition without treatment) may be recommended for elderly men -- or those with serious health issues -- who have early-stage, slow-growing prostate cancer. The odds are they will die of some other cause before their cancer causes poor health

3. Tests can help determine if you're at risk for prostate cancer recurrence.

True. The Gleason Score, based on how prostate cancer cells look under a microscope, indicates how likely it is that the cancer will spread. Scores range from 2 to 10. The higher the number, the more aggressive the cancer and the more likely it is to spread.  It is important that men see their doctor for a PSA blood test, this test measures level of a protein produced by normal and cancerous prostate cancer cells and can help determine if prostate cancer has recurred. If PSA levels begin to rise at any time after treatment, a recurrence may be occurring.

4. Some drugs can slow the progression of advanced prostate cancer.

True. Did you know most prostate cancers need male hormones, such as testosterone, to grow or spread.

5. Most men with prostate cancer will eventually die of the disease.

False. Did you know approximately about one in six men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer during his lifetime, but only one in 34 will actually die of the disease. Most men with prostate cancer die from old age or another cause.