7 Things To Do After A Prostate Cancer Diagnosis

A prostate cancer diagnosis can leave you feeling overwhelmed, anxious, and unsure what to do next. You may be wondering how serious the cancer is, whether treatment is necessary, and how different choices could affect your quality of life.

First, take a breath and give yourself time to understand the information. According to the National Cancer Institute's SEER Program, the overall five-year relative survival rate for prostate cancer in the United States is 98.2%, based on data from 2016 to 2022. For localized or regional disease, the reported five-year relative survival rate is 100%. These are population-level statistics, not a guarantee for any individual, and outcomes vary with the extent and characteristics of the cancer. The figures describe relative survival, not remission or cure.

Prostate cancer can behave differently from one man to another. Understanding your individual diagnosis and weighing the potential benefits and harms of each option can help you make decisions without being driven by fear or urgency.

Dr Stephen Petteruti’s approach at Intellectual Medicine emphasizes careful evaluation, questions whether invasive treatment is necessary, and supports the whole person through nutrition, movement, and stress management. His views on treatment differ from mainstream guidelines in some areas, so patients should understand both his perspective and their treating specialists' recommendations.

If you have recently been diagnosed with prostate cancer, these seven steps can help you approach the next stage with greater clarity.

1. Understand Your Prostate Cancer Diagnosis Before Making Rushed Decisions

Before making decisions, ask your doctor to explain what your results show and what remains uncertain. PSA levels can help guide assessment, but an elevated PSA does not by itself prove cancer or show how aggressive it is. 

Other details help build the picture:

• PSA level: Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) is a protein produced by the prostate. Blood levels can provide useful information, but an elevated PSA level does not automatically mean you have cancer, and a single reading cannot establish how aggressive a cancer may be. Look at changes over time, not just one result.
• Gleason score and Grade Group: These describe how abnormal the cancer cells look under a microscope and help indicate how likely the cancer is to grow or spread.
• Cancer stage and risk: This describes the extent of the cancer, including whether it appears confined to the prostate or has spread beyond it.
• MRI findings: A multiparametric MRI can help identify suspicious areas. The MRI can also assess the prostate as an alternative to biopsy, supporting decisions about further investigation and treatment.
• Risk classification: Your clinical team will combine relevant test results to estimate the likelihood of progression and guide next steps.

Ask for copies of your MRI report, biopsy results, PSA history, and any other relevant investigations. These records make it easier to understand your diagnosis and seek a second opinion if needed.

Most importantly, ask your doctor what your results mean for you specifically.

Understanding the details of your prostate cancer diagnosis helps you avoid making decisions based on fear alone.

2. Seek Out A Second Opinion Before Committing To Treatment

You do not have to make a major decision based on one consultation alone. A second opinion can help you understand your prostate cancer diagnosis further, check that your results have been interpreted appropriately, and hear how another specialist weighs the options.

A urologist treats conditions of the urinary tract and male reproductive system, including prostate cancer. Depending on your case, a urological oncologist, medical oncologist, or radiation oncologist may also be involved. 

When searching for a “prostate cancer doctor near me,” look for relevant experience and a willingness to explain the benefits, limitations, and risks of each approach.

Useful questions to ask include:

1. What do my results tell us, and what do they not tell us?
2. What is the likely benefit of each option in my specific case?
3. What are the short- and long-term risks and side effects?
4. Are any further tests or specialist reviews needed before I decide?
5. What are the consequences of waiting, and how would my condition be monitored?

A good consultation should leave you informed, not pressured. You are entitled to ask questions and take reasonable time to understand your options.

3. Understand the Risks and Uncertainties of Treatment

Traditional prostate cancer treatment decisions involve trade-offs. Surgery, radiation, and systemic treatments can arguably help control cancer in some circumstances, but they can also cause many adverse side effects. Depending on the cancer treatment, these may include urinary problems, erectile dysfunction, bowel symptoms, fatigue, or hormonal effects.

Dr Petteruti is particularly cautious about radiation therapy. He argues that for some men, especially those with early or intermediate-stage disease, the potential long-term harms may outweigh the benefits and that radiation can limit options if the cancer later recurs. He also questions whether the evidence justifies routine radiation in every case.

The evidence is more nuanced than saying radiation never improves outcomes. The ProtecT trial, one of the landmark studies in prostate cancer treatment, showed no survival advantage for radiation over observation alone, yet radiation causes significant and lasting harm.

Ask your specialist to explain the evidence relevant to your cancer, the expected benefit in absolute terms where possible, likely side effects, and what options would remain if treatment did not work. Do not start, stop, or delay recommended treatment without discussing the implications with a qualified clinician after a prostate cancer diagnosis.

4. Ask Whether an Invasive Intervention Is Necessary

A prostate cancer diagnosis can create an understandable urge to act immediately. But before agreeing to a procedure, make sure you understand why it is being recommended, what question it is intended to answer, and whether the result is likely to change your care.

Dr. Petteruti takes a cautious approach to invasive interventions and does not recommend active surveillance or focal therapy as part of his approach. He is also skeptical of focal treatments such as HIFU because he considers the long-term evidence insufficient to establish dependable cancer control. This differs from some mainstream clinical guidelines and treatment centers, which may discuss these approaches for selected patients.

If a clinician recommends a biopsy, surgery, radiation, or another procedure, ask about the expected benefit, possible complications, alternatives, and the risks of declining or postponing it. 

Base your decision on your full clinical picture and a clear discussion with your care team.

5. Change Your Diet to Support Your Overall Health

A holistic approach to cancer treatment looks beyond the diagnosis to the health of the whole person. Nutrition can support general health during and after cancer assessment or treatment, although no specific diet has been proven to cure prostate cancer or replace medical care.

Perhaps diet is something you can make changes to after receiving a prostate cancer diagnosis.

Aim for a varied, balanced diet built around vegetables, fruit, whole grains, legumes, and appropriate protein sources. Limit heavily processed foods where practical and choose an eating pattern that supports cardiovascular and metabolic health. Individual needs vary, so seek advice from a qualified dietitian or clinician if you are considering a restrictive diet or have other health conditions.

Fascinating results have been shared in recent years about spontaneous healing. Cured: The Life-Changing Science of Spontaneous Healing by Jeffrey Rediger, M.D., highlights four key pillars where individuals made profound changes. Physical health (ie., diet and immunity) is at the forefront. Dr. Rediger supports shifting toward whole, nutrient-dense foods and removing inflammatory triggers to support immune function.

6. Keep Moving and Stay Physically Active

Staying active isn't a secret to healthy living. And after a prostate cancer diagnosis, you want to get as healthy as possible in all other areas of the body. Regular physical activity supports cardiovascular health, strength, energy, mobility, and mood. Walking, swimming, cycling, and appropriate strength exercises are ways to stay active, depending on your current fitness, symptoms, and treatment plan.

You don't need to start an intense program overnight. 

Choose activities you can sustain and build up gradually. If you are preparing for treatment, recovering from a procedure, or managing other medical conditions, ask your healthcare team what activity level is safe for you. If physical activity is new to you, consider working with a PT for guidance.

7. Make Time for Stress Management, Sleep, and Emotional Wellbeing

A prostate cancer diagnosis can affect sleep, concentration, relationships, and peace of mind. Alongside practical steps to organize appointments and test results, make space for activities that help you manage stress.

Yoga, meditation, breathwork, mindfulness, and time outdoors all help support relaxation and emotional wellbeing. Start with a manageable routine and choose approaches that feel comfortable for you. These practices can complement medical care surrounding prostate cancer.

Consider speaking with a counselor or joining a prostate cancer support group if you feel isolated or overwhelmed. Keep a list of questions for appointments, and bring someone you trust if it helps you absorb the information. Your care should reflect your individual diagnosis, health, values, and priorities.

Diagnosed With Prostate Cancer? Take the Next Step Thoughtfully

If you are asking, “I have prostate cancer. Now what?”, start by getting a clear explanation of your diagnosis and the options available to you. The overall five-year relative survival rate in the United States is encouraging, but statistics cannot predict an individual outcome or tell you which treatment is right for you.

Dr Stephen Petteruti’s approach encourages patients to carefully consider the rationale for intervention and to focus on the foundations of health, including nutrition, exercise, and stress management. His views on radiation and focal therapy differ from mainstream guidance, so discuss the evidence, uncertainties, and alternatives with appropriately qualified clinicians before deciding.

The goal is to make an informed decision after getting a prostate cancer diagnosis that considers the cancer, the possible benefits and harms of treatment, and the life you want to protect.

Medical disclaimer: This article is for educational purposes only and does not replace individual medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Discuss prostate cancer management with a qualified healthcare professional who can assess your specific circumstances. Do not delay or discontinue recommended investigations or treatment without consulting your care team.

Sources & References

National Cancer Institute, SEER Cancer Stat Facts: Prostate Cancer — https://seer.cancer.gov/statfacts/html/prost.html

ProtecT trial, 15-year outcomes — https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2214122

NICE guideline, Prostate cancer: diagnosis and management — https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng131/chapter/Recommendations

Cured: The Life-Changing Science of Spontaneous Healing by Jeffrey Rediger M.D. — https://drjeffreyrediger.com/cured-the-life-changing-science-of-spontaneous-healing-testing/