From Our Editor in Chief: Navigating a Prostate Cancer Diagnosis with Your Loved Ones
'It is crucial to be present for someone going through a prostate cancer diagnosis,' says Dr. Sohaib Imtiaz, Verywell Health Chief Medical Officer. 'Start by letting them know that you're in this together and that they don't have to face the journey alone. Everyone reacts differently to a cancer diagnosis: some men may want to talk openly, others may become quiet or withdrawn. Listen without judgment and allow them to express their fears and concerns.' 'It's true that prostate cancer is most often diagnosed in men in their 60s and 70s, but younger men can get it, too,' says Dr. Imtiaz, who recommends reading up at American Cancer Society, the Prostate Cancer Foundation or ZERO Prostate Cancer for additional insights.PEOPLE asked Dr. Imtiaz our most pressing questions about prostate cancer.
What are the most frequent warning signs of prostate cancer?Early on there may not be any symptoms at all. But as the disease develops, symptoms start, including difficulty starting urination, a weak or interrupted urine stream, or needing to urinate more often (especially at night).
What are some common misconceptions about prostate cancer?If prostate cancer runs in my family, I'm destined to get it (and if it doesn't, I'm safe). While a family history of prostate cancer does increase your risk (if your father or brother had it, your own risk could be more than double), it's not a guarantee you'll get the disease. Likewise, plenty of men with no family history do develop prostate cancer. In fact, many men diagnosed have no close relatives with the disease.
Or that prostate cancer treatment always ruins a man's quality of life (i.e., ends your sex life or causes incontinence). Many men regain sexual function with time or with help from medications/therapies, and not every treatment leads to lasting urinary problems. Every patient is different, but it's a myth that treatment inevitably means the end of intimacy or normal life.
What are the best ways to prevent prostate cancer?Maintaining a healthy weight is important, as obesity has been linked to a higher risk of more aggressive prostate cancers. Physical activity can improve your hormone balance and immune function and reduce inflammation, which is great for cancer prevention. Aim to have a diet full of fruits and vegetables, so you're getting the antioxidants. Some studies suggest that foods rich in lycopene (like cooked tomatoes) and sulforaphane (from cruciferous veggies) could be beneficial, though research is ongoing. Smoking is associated with worse health outcomes, including possibly higher risk of aggressive cancers.
How should we support our loved ones who are diagnosed with prostate cancer?It's helpful to educate yourself about prostate cancer so you can understand what they are going through. Your knowledge will make you feel more confident in supporting them. There can be a lot to take in.
Day-to-day, look for practical ways to help ease their stress. Treatment and doctor visits can be tiring, so perhaps you can assist with chores or errands like cooking a few meals, driving them to appointments, and helping with household tasks.
Men sometimes have trouble talking about worries or feelings. It is best to gently encourage conversation. What your loved one needs most is understanding and patience.
You can suggest joining a cancer support group (or even go together), or talking to a counselor, especially if you notice signs of depression or overwhelming anxiety. Connecting with others who have been through prostate cancer can help your loved one feel less isolated. Sometimes just your quiet companionship, like sitting together watching a movie or chatting about normal things, can be the best medicine to help them feel hopeful and valued as they fight prostate cancer.
Where can people with prostate cancer go to find community and support?Support groups provide a chance to share experiences with others who truly understand what you're going through, which can make a huge difference. Organizations like ZERO Prostate Cancer offer more than 160 prostate cancer support groups around the country, both local meet-ups and online sessions so that anyone can participate regardless of location. Being in a group with people who have similar worries and experiences helps many people feel more empowered. CancerCare also offers free counseling and support groups (by telephone or online) led by oncology social workers for people with cancer.What has contributed to the evolution of the prognosis for prostate cancer over the years?The prognosis for prostate cancer has improved dramatically over the past few decades, and many factors have played a role in this positive evolution. One major contributor is earlier detection. Since the introduction of widespread PSA blood testing, many prostate cancers are now caught at an earlier, localized stage before they have spread. Catching cancer early hugely improves survival chances. When prostate cancer is found while still confined to the prostate or nearby areas, the five-year survival rate is effectively over 99%. Prostate cancer treatment has come a long way. Surgery is now safer thanks to techniques like nerve-sparing and robotic procedures. Radiation has also improved, with tools that target cancer more precisely. For advanced cases, newer hormone treatments, chemo, and targeted drugs are helping men live longer. Exciting new options like immunotherapy and radioligand therapy (which deliver radiation directly to cancer cells) are offering even more hope. These advances mean doctors today have more effective ways to treat prostate cancer even when it has spread.
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II T2 N0 M0 T2: The cancer is bigger than 0.8 inches but smaller than 1.6 inches across. It's only found in the thyroid. N0: It has not spread to nearby lymph nodes. M0: It has not spread to distant body parts. OR II T3 N0 M0 T3: The cancer is larger than 1.6 inches across and is limited to the thyroid or has grown outside the thyroid but hasn't spread to nearby tissues. N0: It has not spread to nearby lymph nodes. M0: It has not spread to distant body parts. III T1, T2, or T3 N1a M0 T1 to T3: The cancer can be any size but hasn't invaded tissues around your thyroid. N1a: The cancer has spread to lymph nodes in your neck. M0: The cancer hasn't spread to any distant body parts. IVA T4a Any N M0 T4a: The cancer is any size and has grown into nearby tissues such as your windpipe or voice box. Any N: It may or may not have spread to nearby lymph nodes. M0: It hasn't spread to distant body parts. OR IVA T1, T2, or T3 N1b M0 T1 to T3: The cancer is any size and may have grown outside the thyroid. It hasn't grown into any nearby structures. N1b: The cancer has spread to lymph nodes in your neck. M0: The cancer has not spread to distant body parts. IVB T4b Any N M0 T4b: The cancer is any size and has either grown toward your spine or into major blood vessels nearby. Any N: The cancer may or may not have spread to lymph nodes. M0: The cancer has not spread to distant body parts. IVC Any T Any N M1 Any T: The cancer is any size and may have grown into nearby structures. Any N: The cancer may or may not have spread into lymph nodes. M1: The cancer has spread into distant areas such as your liver, brain, or bone. Staging for differentiated (papillary and follicular) thyroid cancer Staging for papillary or follicular thyroid cancer depends on whether you're over or under the age of 55. The overall 5-year relative survival rate for people with papillary thyroid cancer is nearly 100% and about 98% for follicular cancer. Stage Age of diagnos is TNM groups Description I younger than 55 years Any T Any N M0 Any T: The cancer is any size. Any N: The cancer may or may not have spread to lymph nodes. MO: It hasn't spread to distant areas. OR I 55 years or older T1 N0 or NX M0 T1: The cancer is smaller than 0.8 inches across and is only found in your thyroid gland. N0 or NX: The cancer hasn't spread to nearby lymph nodes or there isn't enough information to assess if the cancer has spread to lymph nodes. M0: The cancer hasn't spread to distant areas. OR I 55 years or older T2 N0 or NX M0 T2: The cancer is larger than 0.8 inches across but smaller than 1.6 inches. It's limited to your thyroid. N0 or NX: The cancer hasn't spread to nearby lymph nodes or there isn't enough information to assess if the cancer has spread to lymph nodes. M0: The cancer hasn't spread to distant areas. II younger than 55 years Any T Any N M1 Any T: The cancer is any size. Any N: The cancer may or may not have spread to nearby lymph nodes. M1: The cancer has spread to distant body parts like your bone or internal organs. OR II 55 years or older T1 N1 M0 T1: The cancer is smaller than 0.8 inches across and limited to the thyroid. N1: The cancer has spread to nearby lymph nodes. M0: The cancer hasn't spread to distant areas. OR II 55 years or older T2 N1 M0 T2: The cancer is larger than 0.8 inches across but smaller than 1.6 inches. It's limited to your thyroid. N1: The cancer has spread to nearby lymph nodes. M0: The cancer hasn't spread to nearby areas. OR II 55 years or older T3a or T3b Any N M0 T3a or T3b: The cancer is larger than 1.6 inches across but limited to the thyroid or the muscles that support your thyroid. Any N: The cancer may or may not have spread into nearby lymph nodes. M0: The cancer hasn't spread to distant sites. III 55 years or older T4a Any N M0 T4a: The cancer is any size and has grown beyond your thyroid into surrounding tissues such as your voice box or windpipe. Any N: The cancer may or may not have spread into nearby lymph nodes. M0: The cancer hasn't spread to distant sites. IVA 55 years or older T4b Any N M0 T4b: The cancer has spread extensively beyond your thyroid toward your spine or into large blood vessels in the surrounding area. Any N: The cancer may or may not have spread into nearby lymph nodes. M0: The cancer has not spread to distant locations. IVB 55 years or older Any T Any N M1 Any T: The cancer is any size. Any N: The cancer may or may not have spread to nearby lymph nodes. M1: The cancer has spread to distant parts of your body. Staging for undifferentiated (anaplastic) thyroid cancer Anaplastic cancer has the poorest outlook of any thyroid cancer. Its 5-year relative survival rate is 7%. All anaplastic cancers are considered to be stage IV. It's divided into substages depending on its features. Stage Stage grouping Description IVA T1, T2 or T3a N0 or NX M0 T1, T2, or T3a: The cancer can be any size as long as it's contained to your thyroid. N0 or NX: The cancer hasn't spread to nearby lymph nodes or there's not enough information to know if it has. M0: The cancer has not spread to distant parts of your body. IVB T1, T2 or T3a N1 M0 T1, T2, or T3a: The cancer can be any size as long as it's contained to your thyroid. N1: The cancer has spread to nearby lymph nodes. M0: The cancer has not spread to distant parts of your body. OR IVB T3b Any N M0 T3b: The cancer is any size and has grown into the muscles that support your thyroid. Any N: The cancer may or may not have spread into nearby lymph nodes. M0: The cancer has not spread to distant parts of your body. OR T4 Any N M0 T4: The cancer has grown beyond the thyroid gland and into nearby tissue such as your voice box or windpipe. It also may have grown toward your spine or large blood vessels nearby. Any N: The cancer may or may not have spread to nearby lymph nodes. M0: The cancer has not spread to distant parts of your body. IVC Any T Any N M1 Any T: The cancer can be any size. Any N: The cancer may or may not have spread to nearby lymph nodes. M1: The cancer has spread into distant body parts such as your bones or internal organs. Takeaway Thyroid cancer is broken into stages depending on how far the cancer has progressed. The AJCC's TNM staging for papillary or follicular thyroid cancer also considers your age. Cancers in early stages are considered easier to treat and have a better outlook. Due to the aggressive nature of anaplastic thyroid cancer, it's always considered stage IV. Knowing what stage of cancer you're in helps doctors understand how to best manage your cancer. It can also give you an idea of your chances of survival. Survival statistics are often based on old data, so your chances of survival might be better than statistics suggest.
