If you or a loved one has or has had cancer, you know that there’s a lot of information out there about the disease as well as about treatments. Often, however, prostate cancer is the subject of misinformation and myths, which can only add to your frustration and anxiety about the disease and how to properly treat it.
At the Prostate Cancer Institute of Los Angeles, we know the truth, and we’re here to separate it from several common myths about cancer treatment. We want you to be informed so that you can make knowledgeable decisions about your best prostate cancer treatment options.
7 Common Myths about Prostate Cancer Treatment
Myth 1 – No More Sex
Let’s dispel this myth right away. Surgery on the prostate does not mean an end to your sex life. This is because the cancer specialists at our center are expert experienced surgeons who have the skills to avoid damaging the nerves that trigger an erection. After surgery, most individuals will have no problems with getting and maintaining an erection after a certain period.
Since recovery from prostate cancer surgery in Los Angeles can take anywhere from 4 months to 2 years, the ability to have an erection could take a while. Be patient and follow your prescribed recovery plan to see the maximum result.
Myth 2 – Urine Leakage
A prostate cancer treatment will not cause permanent, regular urine leakage. If you undergo prostate gland surgery, it’s possible that you’ll experience short-term urinary leakage issues, but you should regain bladder control within a few months, although in some men, it could take as long as a year. More than 90% of men are without any urine leakage at 1 year after surgery.
Myth 3: Undergo Prostate Surgery Immediately
A common patient reaction to a prostate cancer diagnosis is to start surgery as soon as possible. In fact, it’s possible that you and your attending doctor may decide that surgery is unnecessary.
One such case is if the cancer is caught early, as prostate tumors typically grow slowly. If this is the case, it may be more prudent to wait and actively keep an eye on the disease. Called “active surveillance,” this type of treatment is common in older individuals. Under active surveillance, our doctors will perform frequent check-ups to see if your cancer is worsening, at which point treatment becomes viable.
If you have other illnesses or health problems in Beverly Hills, undergoing surgery on the prostate may affect the treatment of your other diseases. Therefore, your urologist may decide to hold off on surgery for the time being.
Myth 4 – Treatment Is Not Even Necessary
This seems to be at odds with the previous myth, but since prostate tumors commonly grow slowly, many people think that treatment is never necessary.
It’s important to remember that not all prostate tumors grow slowly. Certain types of cancer are very aggressive and need to be dealt with accordingly. Since prostate cancer is the second deadliest cancer for American men, a urological specialist will help guide you through a treatment decision.
Myth 5 – Surgery is the Only Effective Treatment
Another myth is that surgery is the only treatment for this disease. While surgery is effective, the following options are all viable alternatives to surgery. As with other diseases, however, the ideal treatment is dependent on each unique individual.
- HIFU
- Cryoablation
- Radiation Therapy
- Hormone Therapy
Learn more about potential treatment options at WebMD.com.
Myth 6 – All Treatments Have Comparable Cure Rates
Although much information on the Internet suggests that all cancer treatments are as effective as one another, such a general statement can be misleading due to the uniqueness of each case of prostate cancer, as well as the patients themselves.
Many studies on prostate tumor treatment have not been verified by an independent team, so results can be misconstrued or even biased. Furthermore, since your case is unique, you and your cancer may have different characteristics from those in a given study.
Another aspect to consider is the rate at which technology, medicine, and treatment options are evolving. Innovative techniques and treatments are hitting the market regularly, thereby increasing your options to have the best cancer treatment available.
Early Detection is the Key to Effective Treatment
Early detection is often the single determining factor to your survival. Although the traditional method of detection is a biopsy via ultrasound, new methods using advanced technology, such as an MRI fusion biopsy, are becoming popular due to their superior precision.
With better diagnostic capabilities, earlier detection leads to more positive outcomes, thereby enhancing your chances of survival and living a quality life. To learn more about your treatment options, contact the Prostate Cancer Institute of Los Angeles with your questions. You can schedule a consultation at our Beverly Hills urological center today.
Next, read What You Can Do to Support a Loved One with Prostate Cancer