How to survive and thrive after prostate cancer

How to survive and thrive after prostate cancer

Ask any cancer survivor, getting the “all clear” from your doctor is both exciting yet stressful.  The relief to be finished with treatments is welcomed yet the worry of your cancer coming back or spreading is of concern. Anyone having lived through and beyond cancer is a survivor.  Beating back cancer is quite a feat and now it’s time to not just survive but to thrive 

For men who’ve had a prostate cancer diagnosis, they will experience the same feelings. Prostate cancer is a serious disease, however most men will survive it living for many more years to come. Currently, there are more than 3.1 million men in the United States who are prostate cancer survivors. According to the American Cancer Society, prostate cancer has one of the highest survivability rates when diagnosed early.

Thanks to improved and reliable diagnostic tests and advances in treatment options increasing survivability, the majority of men, when diagnosed early with the disease, can expect a good outcome. Almost 100 percent of men are still alive five years after being told they have prostate cancer, 98 percent are alive ten years after diagnosis, and almost 96 percent are alive after 15 years after diagnosis.  

What to expect living as a prostate cancer survivor

Once a man has completed treatment, staying in close contact with their doctor for follow-up appointments likely will continue for years. Follow-up visits may start out every few months and in time if the prostate cancer is still in remission, these visits likely will be extended to every six months or yearly. At these visits, exams, lab or imaging tests (which may include PSA blood tests or digital rectal exams) may be used searching for any signs of a cancer return. Men can also expect their doctor to ask several questions pertaining to urinary issues, side effects from treatments, and the functioning of their sex life.

It is important at these follow-up visits that men take advantage of reporting and alerting their doctor of any problems or new symptoms that may indicate a return of the cancer.

Some men will be under active surveillance, in which their doctor will regularly see them for an extended length of time to monitor a slow-growing prostate cancer that may not pose any threat.  For other men, their prostate cancer could return and occasionally in another part of their body. By keeping regular follow-up visits, finding a return of cancer early helps improve chances of beating it back once again.

How to develop a survivorship plan

Finding a “new normal” after surviving prostate cancer may take some time.  Anxiety, uncertainty, or experiencing treatment side effects may hamper getting back into a usual routine.

This is to be expected and actually is quite typical for many men who’ve survived prostate cancer. What helps is to begin with a plan of survivorship from now into the future. Its one thing to survive a cancer diagnosis, but it’s another for men to actually thrive as their life continues on.

Here are smart tips on not just surviving but thriving at the same time after prostate cancer:

·      Detailed medical record keeping

Never underestimate keeping fastidious records of a summary of all medical treatments you’ve received during the active phase (and after) of fighting and remaining prostate cancer free.

Keep accurate, up-to-date records of the dates and number of all tests and treatments provided such as scans, biopsies, radiation, surgery, or other tests for detecting prostate cancer.

Keep literature on possible side effects of any treatment you received and medications you have been placed on.  This helps you to watch for signs or symptoms of side effects alerting you to contact your doctor early on.

In case you have to switch to a different doctor unfamiliar with your medical history, keep copies of your medical records to provide to your new doctor to review of the details of your diagnosis and treatment.

Having detailed records from the time of your prostate cancer diagnosis to remission, is invaluable if anything comes up in which you need to access it quickly or for remembering dates/treatments for insurance purposes. By actively participating in your treatment and care plan, this helps ease your mind by knowing what’s been covered and how far you have come.

·      Adopt healthy habits lowering risk of prostate cancer returning or progressing

Every cancer survivor almost always will ask, “How can I prevent my cancer from returning?” Luckily, there are a number of healthy habits to start right away beginning at the time of diagnosis. 

Arming yourself with these health habits can make a significant difference in not only fighting the disease but from delaying any possibility of a return of it.

·      Eat  a prostate friendly diet

There are certain foods that do appear to have a positive role in helping to prevent prostate cancer.  Men should include many of these foods in their daily diet: tomatoes, watermelon, grapefruit, papaya, asparagus, and mangoes, all high in lycopene a powerful antioxidant believed to play a role in reducing prostate cancer. Also include nutrient-rich cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower, Bok choy, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, turnips, kale, arugula, and rutabagas.

Fatty fish rich in omega-3 fatty acids eaten at least twice a week may help lower risk of prostate cancer return.  Fatty fish include salmon, sardines, mackerel, and herring.

There’s good news for coffee lovers; coffee’s antioxidant effects may reduce cancer formation, especially in reducing risk of lethal prostate cancer.

Avoid processed meats which include salami, bologna, deli meats, hot dogs, bacon, and sausage. Processed meats often contain preformed N-nitroso compounds, nitrites, nitrates, and added salt, which have cancer promoting properties.

While calcium intake is important for men, studies have suggested that high intakes of calcium – more than 1,000 mg a day – may increase the risk of developing prostate cancer but the research is not conclusive. Low-fat dairy products are a better choice for men as whole milk may increase the risk of disease progression or prostate cancer death.  One cup of skim milk contains 300 mg of calcium and one cup of yogurt contains approximately 450 mg of calcium.

Vitamin and mineral supplements – Other than a general multivitamin, the use of any single nutrient supplement is not recommended unless specifically recommended by a physician.  There is no convincing evidence that supports the use of supplements protecting against prostate cancer. The one exception is vitamin D as many men are deficient in this fat-soluble vitamin but again, all men should consult with their physician before taking a vitamin D supplement.

·      Increase physical activity

Exercise is important for everyone but men should remain as active as they can throughout their entire life.  Increasing exercise has been associated with reducing prostate cancer risk and progression.  Men should aim for at least 150 minutes each week of moderate-to-vigorous activity such as walking briskly – at least a 3 mph walk – jogging, swimming, or bicycling.  Ideally, vigorous exercise should be done for at least 30 minutes most days of the week.

·      Maintain a healthy body weight

All men should know their body mass index number.  Reaching and/or maintaining a healthy body weight can be achieved through eating a healthy diet and regular exercise. Studies have found that men who are overweight to obese when diagnosed with prostate cancer tend to have a worse outcome.

·      Quit smoking

Simply put, do not smoke.  It not only may possibly increase the risk of prostate cancer but also other cancers along with heart disease, hypertension, emphysema, COPD and other health problems.  If you currently do smoke, consult with your physician on taking steps to quit. 

·      Have good emotional support

Experiencing a wide range of emotions as a prostate cancer survivor is normal.  However, some men may be affected more than others.  Having an emotional support system in place can significantly help men struggling with issues of depression, anxiety, or worry. Take advantage of help from family, friends, religious organizations, prostate cancer support groups, and professional counselors.

Dr. David Samadi is the Director of Men’s Health and Urologic Oncology at St. Francis Hospital in Long Island. He’s a renowned and highly successful board certified Urologic Oncologist Expert and Robotic Surgeon in New York City, regarded as one of the leading prostate surgeons in the U.S., with a vast expertise in prostate cancer treatment and Robotic-Assisted Laparoscopic Prostatectomy.  Visit Dr. Samadi’s websites at robotic oncology and prostate cancer 911.