Tag Archive for: advanced prostate cancer

What Questions Should You Consider Asking Your Prostate Cancer Care Team? Guide

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You Have a Role in Your Prostate Cancer Care Decisions Guide

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Building a Relationship With Your Prostate Cancer Healthcare Team Guide

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Understanding Your Prostate Cancer Diagnosis Guide

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Tools for Becoming an Educated and Empowered Prostate Cancer Patient Guide

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What Questions Should You Consider Asking Your Prostate Cancer Care Team?

What Questions Should You Consider Asking Your Prostate Cancer Care Team? from Patient Empowerment Network on Vimeo.

How can prostate cancer patients have engaged conversations with their healthcare team? This animated video reviews key questions patients can ask to help them navigate their treatment and care decisions.

Download Resource Guide

See More From Shared Decision Making: Navigating Prostate Cancer Care

Related Resources:

Building a Relationship With Your Prostate Cancer Healthcare Team

You Have a Role in Your Prostate Cancer Care Decision

Transcript: 

Niki: 

Hi, I’m Niki, and I’m a prostate cancer nurse practitioner. And this is Anthony, who is living with advanced prostate cancer.  

[Disclaimer on screen: Patient experience depicted in this video is fictional.] 

Anthony: 

Thanks for joining us! In this video, Niki and I are going to walk you through key questions to ask your prostate cancer team as you navigate your care decisions. 

First of all, it’s helpful to ask your physician how much experience they have treating prostate cancer patients. If appropriate, you may want to consider a second opinion. 

Niki: 

And it’s important to also have a deeper understanding of your disease by asking: 

  • What stage and grade is the prostate cancer? Has it spread beyond the prostate? 
  • Are there additional tests that you should undergo to provide a fuller picture of your disease? 
  • What educational resources are recommended to learn more about prostate cancer? 

Anthony: 

Once you understand more about your diagnosis and disease, then it’s time to really understand what steps could be next.  

And, if – and when – your disease does need to be treated, you should feel engaged in deciding on your treatment plan.  

Niki: 

That’s right. You can start by asking if treatment needs to begin right away or if you will be monitored for any changes. 

  • Then, establish the goals of your treatment plan. Based on your diagnosis and stage of disease, is the goal to try to cure the cancer or to manage the disease symptoms?  
  • Ask what treatment options are available to you and which approach is recommended for YOUR disease? 
  • And inquire if there is a clinical trial that could be right for you.  
  • Finally, ask what your options are if the initial treatment doesn’t appear to be effective or if your disease progresses. 

Once you know your options, ask about the potential short term and long-term side effects of each approach and how they may be managed. 

Anthony: 

You should also find out how your lifestyle may be impacted. For instance: 

  • Find out how each approach could impact your daily life, including your sex life, and for how long. 
  • You may also inquire about how treatment may impact fertility and if you should speak with a fertility specialist. 
  • Ask about the financial implications of each approach and whether there are resources for financial assistance. 

Niki: 

That’s great advice, Anthony. We hope these questions give you a good starting point for engaged conversations with your team. Remember, you may have more questions related to your individual situation, these are just a starting point to help.

Anthony: 

Don’t forget to download the guide that accompanies this video. It will have a comprehensive list of the questions we have reviewed. 

And visit powerfulpatients.org/PC to access more videos with Niki and me. 

You Have a Role in Your Prostate Cancer Care Decisions

You Have a Role in Your Prostate Cancer Care Decisions from Patient Empowerment Network on Vimeo.

What role do patients play in their prostate cancer care decisions? This animated video reviews the shared decision-making process and outlines steps for patients to engage in their care.

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See More From Shared Decision Making: Navigating Prostate Cancer Care

Related Resources:

Building a Relationship With Your Prostate Cancer Healthcare Team

What Questions Should You Consider Asking Your Prostate Cancer Care Team?

Transcript: 

Niki: 

Hi, I’m Niki, and I’m a prostate cancer nurse practitioner. And this is Anthony, who is living with advanced prostate cancer.   

[Disclaimer on screen: Patient experience depicted in this video is fictional.] 

Anthony: 

Thanks for joining us! In this video, we’re going explain why you should take an active role in your prostate cancer care and review steps to help you engage in the decisions that need to be made. 

Niki: 

That’s right, Anthony.  

Which leads me to the term “shared decision-making.” You may have heard of this term already – basically, it means that you and your healthcare team collaborate on care decisions and the goal is to have YOU be at the center of these decisions. 

Anthony: 

That’s right! For example, when it was time to discuss my care plan, my doctor walked me through the considerations of each approach and how each option could impact my lifestyle. I asked questions and shared my goals during the conversations. And I felt HEARD. 

Niki: 

Exactly – that’s shared decision-making in action. When you are living with cancer, often the risks and benefits need to be weighed to decide which course of action could be best for your individual disease. So why is it so vital to be an active participant? Studies show that patients who engage in their care may have better outcomes and experiences1. And it will help you learn more about your disease and move forward with confidence. 

Anthony: 

Now that you know what shared decision-making IS and why you should become a partner in your care, let’s review steps that will help you become more engaged: 

The first, and most important step, is to educate yourself about your disease.  

Niki: 

Your doctor’s office can be a great source of information and resources, so it’s a good place to start. And there are also several advocacy groups that provide educational materials, for instance: [links on screen as they are read]: 

  • Patient Empowerment Network, the creator of this video. 
  • The Prostate Cancer Foundation. 
  • The Prostate Cancer Research Institute. 
  • The Prostate Health Education Network, which focuses on services and support for Black men. 
  • And ZERO-The End of Prostate Cancer. 

Anthony: 

Once you learn more about your prostate cancer through resources like these, you will feel more empowered to voice your opinions. Remember, it’s important to speak up and ask questions at each stage. 

Niki: 

So, what else can you do to be a partner in your decisions? 

  • First, make sure you understand and communicate the goals of your care before making any decisions. 
  • Then, make sure you are informed about your options and ask for supporting materials if you need clarity. 
  • And ask how your lifestyle may be impacted by each approach. 
  • You should also discuss the risks and benefits of each option. 
  • Request resources to aid in decision-making and information that can help determine the best route for your individual disease. 
  • As always, bring a friend or family member and discuss your options with loved ones. 
  • Finally, remember YOU are at the center of your care. You should feel comfortable with any choice before you move forward. 

Anthony: 

Now that you’ve watched this video, make sure to download the guide that contains highlights of this discussion – and you can print it out or save it on your computer to reference in the future. 

Niki: 

Visit powerfulpatients.org/PC to access more videos with Anthony and me. Thanks for joining us! 

Building a Relationship With Your Prostate Cancer Healthcare Team

Building a Relationship With Your Prostate Cancer Healthcare Team from Patient Empowerment Network on Vimeo.

Who are the potential members of your prostate cancer team? This animated video reviews the key providers who may be involved in your care and provides tools for confidently communicating with team members.

Download Resource Guide

See More From Shared Decision Making: Navigating Prostate Cancer Care

Related Resources:

Tools for Becoming an Educated and Empowered Prostate Cancer Patient

You Have a Role in Your Prostate Cancer Care Decision

Transcript: 

Niki: 

Hi, I’m Niki, and I’m a prostate cancer nurse practitioner. And this is Anthony, who is living with prostate cancer. Thanks for joining us! 

[Disclaimer on screen: Patient experience depicted in this video is fictional.] 

Anthony: 

In this video, we’re going to walk you through the members of your prostate cancer healthcare team – and share tips for building strong relationships and communicating more effectively. 

Niki: 

When it comes to prostate cancer, you need a team that collaborates on all aspects of your care. And it’s vital that you utilize ALL the members. After all, they are there to help you. 

So, who IS on your team? 

There are several different providers who may be involved with your prostate cancer diagnosis and care: 

  • Let’s start with a urologist. This is a doctor who specializes in the male reproductive organs and can perform prostate cancer surgery. Some are also trained oncologists – urologic oncologists – who are specially trained in cancer. 
  • Then there could be a radiation oncologist. This team member specializes in treating prostate cancer with radiation. 
  • Next, there may also be a medical oncologist. This is a physician who is trained in non-surgical prostate cancer approaches, such as hormonal therapy and chemotherapy. 
  • And, finally, your primary care physician should also be kept in the loop. 

Anthony: 

And beyond your doctors, there is a whole team of supportive professionals to help you along the way. For instance: 

  • A nurse like Niki can provide you with information to help with decisions and share advice for managing day-to-day issues, including symptoms and side effects. You may also want to work with a nurse navigator, who is specially trained to help guide you through your cancer care. 
  • A social worker can help you navigate the details of your care and suggest support resources for you and your family.  
  • And a palliative care specialist can work with you on helping to relieve symptoms, pain, and even stress-related issues like anxiety and depression. 

Niki: 

 There are several other team members you can rely upon, including: 

  • A pharmacist, who can dispense prescription medications and inform you of their use and potential side effects. 
  • A genetic counselor, who has special training in helping patients understand their genetic testing options and the potential impact of the results.  
  • And don’t forget mental health professionals. Treating your mental health is just as important as treating the prostate cancer itself.  

Anthony: 

Exactly. I struggled emotionally when I was diagnosed, so I reached out to the social worker, who connected me with a counselor and support groups. Seeing a professional and joining a group made feel less alone and more hopeful.  

Niki: 

And last, but not least, a care partner or loved one is another core member of your team.  

Anthony: 

Absolutely! Whether it’s a friend or family member, having someone with you at appointments or to talk about your options is beneficial. 

Now that you know who may be on your team, let’s talk about strengthening communication. By communicating effectively, you can learn about your disease and become an active partner in care decisions. Here are a few tips to help you: 

  • First, make sure everyone on your team is aware of your care goals. 
  • And bring someone to appointments to help you write down important information and make sure to request post-visit summaries to help you retain the information. 
  • Ensure you have access to your patient portal and use the messaging service to communicate directly with your team members. Ask follow-up questions about your appointment if necessary. 
  • Finally, it’s essential to speak up in appointments. Your team wants to hear your questions and know how you are doing. It could help them adjust your care plan. 

Niki: 

Thank you for joining us – we hope you feel more empowered! And remember to download the guide that accompanies this video to review what we discussed. 

Understanding Your Prostate Cancer Diagnosis

Understanding Your Prostate Cancer Diagnosis from Patient Empowerment Network on Vimeo.

What do you need to know about your prostate cancer diagnosis? This animated video reviews the diagnosis process and provides steps for working with your healthcare team to understand your individual disease.

Download Resource Guide

See More From Shared Decision Making: Navigating Prostate Cancer Care

Related Resources:

Tools for Becoming an Educated and Empowered Prostate Cancer Patient

Building a Relationship With Your Prostate Cancer Healthcare Team

You Have a Role in Your Prostate Cancer Care Decision

Transcript: 

Niki: 

Hi! I’m Niki, and I’m a prostate cancer nurse practitioner. And this is Anthony, who is living with prostate cancer.  

[Disclaimer on screen: Patient experience depicted in this video is fictional.] 

Anthony: 

In this video, we’ll help you understand prostate cancer and how it is diagnosed and staged. 

Niki: 

So, what is prostate cancer exactly? It starts when cells in the prostate gland grow out of control, forming a cancerous tumor.  

It’s the second most common cancer in American men. And while it can be serious, there are options available for prostate cancer care.  

Anthony: 

And there are certain risk factors that may make you more likely to develop prostate cancer, such as: 

  • Your age. 
  • Your race and ethnic background. For instance, Black men are more likely to be diagnosed with prostate cancer than men of other races. 
  • Your family history and your genetics.  

Niki: 

That’s right, Anthony. Now that we have a better understanding of what prostate cancer is, let’s move on to how it is diagnosed.  

Your healthcare team will use a variety of tests to better understand your disease. 

For example, A PSA test [PSA: Prostate-Specific Antigen on screen] and a biopsy may be used to confirm a diagnosis. And imaging tests—like an MRI or CT scan—are used to find out if the cancer has spread. 

These test results also help your doctor stage your disease. Staging helps indicate the location of the cancer, whether it has spread beyond the prostate, and its impact on other areas of the body. It may also assist in guiding a patient’s treatment plan.  

When staging prostate cancer, doctors may consider: 

  • The size of the primary tumor and where it is located. 
  • They’ll also factor in if the cancer has spread to nearby lymph nodes or other parts of the body. 
  • The patient’s PSA level is also used in staging. This test measures the amount of prostate-specific antigen in the blood. 
  • And finally, the cancer’s grade, which is based on the Gleason score. A Gleason score measures how likely the cancer is to spread and whether it is aggressive. 

Anthony: 

Thanks for explaining that, Niki. So, what are the stages of prostate cancer?  

Niki:

Great question!  

  • Prostate cancer stages begin at stage I, which indicates a slower growing disease that is confined to the prostate. 
  • And stage II means the cancer is only in the prostate, but the disease may have an increased chance of growing or spreading.  
  • Stage III prostate cancer indicates that the tumor has spread to areas close to the prostate and may be considered locally advanced.  

Anthony:   

And I was diagnosed with stage IV prostate cancer, which means it has spread beyond the prostate and is considered advanced prostate cancer.  

Niki: 

That’s right. And because prostate cancer staging is complicated, it’s important to review test results with your doctor to understand your stage and grade. If you don’t understand your diagnosis, make sure to ask questions and request resources to help you.  

Anthony: 

Here are some additional steps you can take to feel more confident about understanding your diagnosis: 

  • First, ask about the stage of your prostate cancer and whether it is aggressive. 
  • And confirm that you have had all relevant testing to inform an accurate diagnosis, including genetic testing, if appropriate. 
  • Then, be sure to review the test results together with your team to make sure you understand how they impact your care and treatment options. 
  • Also, ask about your Gleason score and how it impacts your decisions.  

Niki:

And find out how experienced your physician is in treating your type of prostate cancer and consider seeking a second opinion with a prostate cancer specialist. 

Anthony: 

Finally, don’t hesitate to request support resources to help you cope emotionally with your diagnosis.  

Niki: 

Visit powerfulpatients.org/pc to view all the videos in this series and download the guide that accompanies this video to review what we’ve discussed.   

Anthony: 

Thanks for joining us! 

Tools for Becoming an Educated and Empowered Prostate Cancer Patient

Tools for Becoming an Educated and Empowered Prostate Cancer Patient from Patient Empowerment Network on Vimeo.

What steps can you take to become an empowered prostate cancer patient? In this animated video, you’ll learn tools for self-education and self-advocacy to help you partner in your care decisions.

Download Resource Guide

See More From Shared Decision Making: Navigating Prostate Cancer Care

Related Resources:

Building a Relationship With Your Prostate Cancer Healthcare Team

You Have a Role in Your Prostate Cancer Care Decision

Transcript: 

Niki: 

Hi! I’m Niki, and I’m a prostate cancer nurse practitioner. And this is Anthony, who is living with advanced prostate cancer.  

Together, we’re going to guide you through a series of videos to help you learn more about prostate cancer and give you steps to play an active role in your care and treatment decisions. 

First, I want to introduce you to the organization responsible for this video—the Patient Empowerment Network—or “PEN.”  

PEN’s mission is simple. It’s to provide cancer patients and care partners with the knowledge and tools to boost their confidence, put them in control of their healthcare journey, and assist them in their goal of receiving the best, most personalized care available.  

[Patient experience depicted in this video is fictional.]

Anthony: 

So, what does it mean to be an empowered patient? The World Health Organization defines it as “a process through which people gain greater control over decisions and actions affecting their health.”1 

When I was first diagnosed with prostate cancer, I was overwhelmed, and I didn’t feel comfortable sharing my concerns and opinions. But through finding out more about my disease, working together with my team and learning to advocate for myself, I felt more in control and more confident speaking up. 

Niki: 

Exactly, Anthony. One of the first steps to becoming an empowered patient is to educate yourself about your disease. You can start learning about your prostate cancer by:  

  • Making sure you can access your online patient portal, if available, so you can view your medical records, communicate with your healthcare team, and access resources when you need them. If you don’t know how to use the patient portal, just ask your doctor’s office – they should have a set of instructions on hand. 
  • You can also visit credible prostate cancer advocacy groups to learn about your condition. These organizations are typically an excellent source of information and support. Ask your healthcare team for recommendations.  

Remember, online information is never a substitute for medical advice. You should always consult your doctor about what you’ve learned. This will become easier as you get a better understanding of your disease and feel more comfortable sharing with your healthcare team. 

Anthony: 

That’s right, Niki. But, as I learned firsthand, speaking up is not always easy. Here are some tips that helped me: 

  • Write down your questions before your appointments. Visit powerfulpatients.org/pc to access office visit planners to help you organize your notes. 
  • And, try to bring a friend or loved one to your appointments to help you remember information and to take notes for you. 
  • Another tip is to be honest about how you feel and share any treatment side effects or symptoms you may be having with your healthcare team. Your doctor wants to know how you are doing and may be able to help you if you are having issues.  
  • It’s also a good idea to consider a second opinion to help you feel confident in your care and to provide piece of mind. This is especially important if you feel like you are not being heard. 
  • And, lastly, you have a voice in your care decisions. Don’t hesitate to ask questions – YOU are your own best advocate.  

Niki: 

That’s great advice, Anthony! We’ve covered a lot. So don’t forget to download the guide that goes with this video—it can help you remember what we’ve discussed. 

Anthony: 

And visit powerfulpatients.org/PC to view more videos with Niki and me. Thank you for joining us!  

How Can Prostate Cancer Patients Access Clinical Trials?

How Can Prostate Cancer Patients Access Clinical Trials? from Patient Empowerment Network on Vimeo.

Dr. Andrew Armstrong shares trusted resources for accessing information about prostate cancer clinical trials and reviews common barriers to participation.

Dr. Andrew J. Armstrong is a medical oncologist and director of clinical research at the Duke Cancer Institute’s Center for Prostate and Urologic Cancers. For more information on Dr. Armstrong here.

See More From Prostate Clinical Trials 201

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Should Prostate Cancer Patients Consider a Treatment in Clinical Trials?

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Key Questions for Prostate Cancer Patients to Ask Before Joining a Clinical Trial


Transcript:

Katherine Banwell:

Yes, yes. How can patients find out about a trial that might be right for them? 

Dr. Armstrong:

There’s several sources. One is through their doctor. You know, their doctor can be their navigator. They will be connected either within a cancer center or be connected to a cancer center that’s in their region. So, getting a referral to a cancer center can be that open door to hearing what trials a big cancer center might offer. 

If patients are willing to travel longer distances, there are websites like clinicaltrials.gov where patients can search and find a trial, find a coordinator, find a principal investigator or doctor, contact them, and then either drive or fly to that site to access that trial. Not every patient has that means. 

But that’s certainly a resource that many patients and their family members can use to seek out those trials. And I certainly have patients that have found me in that way. 

But it’s probably more common for patients to come to you through a referral from their doctor because many sites in the community don’t have access to those clinical trials, but they know who does.  

Katherine Banwell:

What are some common barriers to accessing clinical trials? 

Dr. Armstrong:

The most important one is probably transportation. Some trials are close by, and some trials are very far away, and resources can be a major barrier. The cost of transportation, of having to be near a trial site, can be a major barrier. We wish we had all of the trials everywhere, but that’s not possible. Some trials are available at Duke, but are not available for example in Baltimore or Boston or California, and vice versa.  

Each academic institution may have their own trials. There are going to be some big trials that are available everywhere. These are like global Phase III studies. And really just talking to the physician, maybe getting a second opinion about which trial may be right for you in a certain circumstance is really part of the shared decision-making process. 

So, travel, socioeconomic status, cost concerns, those are barriers. But most clinical trials will pay for the experimental drugs. They will not charge you more money to participate in the study. And most insurance companies will pay for your participation in that trial, so that should not be a major barrier, but transportation can be. So, sometimes patients will find trials near a loved one or a family member so they can stay with them during the trial participation. 

Should Prostate Cancer Patients Consider a Treatment in Clinical Trials?

Should Prostate Cancer Patients Consider a Treatment in Clinical Trials? from Patient Empowerment Network on Vimeo.

Prostate cancer expert Dr. Andrew Armstrong explains how prostate cancer clinical trials work and discusses why patients should feel confident exploring this option at any stage of their cancer journey.

Dr. Andrew J. Armstrong is a medical oncologist and director of clinical research at the Duke Cancer Institute’s Center for Prostate and Urologic Cancers. For more information on Dr. Armstrong here.

See More From Prostate Clinical Trials 201

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Key Questions for Prostate Cancer Patients to Ask Before Joining a Clinical Trial


Transcript:

Katherine Banwell:

At what point should a prostate cancer patient consider participating in a clinical trial? 

Dr. Armstrong:

Sure. If you look at the National Comprehensive Cancer Network, NCCN guidelines, you’ll see that clinical trials should be discussed along all parts of the journey. 

And that’s because clinical trials often can change how we think about cancer, how we treat cancer, can improve cure rates, can improve survival. Most of our drugs and treatments that have been successful in all cancer have been the result of clinical trials. 

And it’s not always appropriate, though. We have very many treatments that can cure patients, and we don’t want to interfere with that, but sometimes a clinical trial can layer on top of that cure rate. 

But many patients, their cancer becomes resistant to proven therapies. That’s certainly an area where clinical trials can make a big difference, either to put off chemotherapy or more toxic therapies, or in patients who have exhausted proven therapies. That’s certainly appropriate. 

But sometimes clinical trials do not involve placebos. They involve combination therapies, they involve layering on top several approaches to try to improve the survival on top of standard of care.  

And so as a director of a research program, we have all sorts of trials. They come in Phase I, Phase II, Phase III. Really only the Phase IIIs involve placebo controlled or controlled trials. Phase II tend to be early studies, where everybody gets a therapy and it’s preliminary to determine efficacy. Phase I is really trying to determine the safety and dosing of an experimental drug. But patients can benefit across the spectrum. 

So, it’s important, particularly if you have advanced disease, to go to a site, like a comprehensive cancer center, for a second opinion to see if there is alternatives to what you might get in the community.  

Katherine Banwell:

Yes. What would you say to someone who might be hesitant to participate in a trial? 

Dr. Armstrong:

Participation in a trial involves shared decision-making, just like being diagnosed, embarking on initial treatment, even embarking on standard of care treatment. Everything is shared decision-making in terms of risks and benefits.  

Sometimes a trial is not in a patient’s best interest, and it’s important for a physician to be upright about that and up front about the risks of a trial. 

I think when patients have exhausted proven therapies, it’s quite appropriate to talk about therapies that might be in the research pipeline that are showing some promise, that have demonstrated at least success in the laboratory or in small numbers of patients coming before.  

For example, in 2022, a brand-new drug just got approved called Pluvicto, or PSMA lutetium. This is a new smart bomb for prostate cancer. Just last year it was a research drug, but this year it’s successful and being used in the clinic. All those hormone drugs I mentioned earlier, those were research drugs five years ago. So, we don’t make advanced, we don’t extend lives without participating in research. We’re not happy with the way things are, we want them to be better. 

And the only way to make them better is by studying them. And not all of these trials are successful, unfortunately, but many are, and that’s why we are seeing men live longer and have better survivorship nowadays. 

An Expert’s Perspective on Emerging Prostate Cancer Research

An Expert’s Perspective on Emerging Prostate Cancer Research from Patient Empowerment Network on Vimeo.

What do prostate cancer patients need to know about emerging research? Dr. Andrew Armstrong discusses developing treatments and their potential impact on prostate cancer care.

Dr. Andrew J. Armstrong is a medical oncologist and director of clinical research at the Duke Cancer Institute’s Center for Prostate and Urologic Cancers. For more information on Dr. Armstrong here.

See More from Engage Prostate Cancer

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Key Questions for Prostate Cancer Patients to Ask Before Joining a Clinical Trial

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Should Prostate Cancer Patients Consider a Treatment in Clinical Trials?

How Can Prostate Cancer Patients Access Clinical Trials

How Can Prostate Cancer Patients Access Clinical Trials?


Transcript:

Katherine:

Are there any recent developments in treatment and research that patients should know about? 

Dr. Armstrong:

Absolutely. I would say the number one research advance has been the use of these really strong hormonal therapies in earlier and earlier disease setting. So, you may have heard of drugs like Zytiga or abiraterone, or Xtandi or enzalutamide, apalutamide or Errleada, or derolutamide or Nubeqa. Those are mouthfuls. Those are very potent hormonal pills that when used in men with advanced disease improves survival. 

And the data has supported the fact that the early use of those agents extends life even more than waiting until hormone resistance develops.  

So, if you are unlucky enough to have metastatic disease and you’re in need of hormonal therapy, giving injections that lower testosterone, which is the fuel for most prostate cancers, and then blocking testosterone with some of these newer pills extends life by years, not months. And it does so with pretty good quality of life over time.  

Of course, there are negative consequences of having no testosterone, and it’s important as part of shared decision-making to review those side effects and how that can impact quality of life negatively while extending survival.  

So, that’s a major advance. Another major advance is genetic testing and personalized medicine. In men with advanced prostate cancer, it’s now uniformly recommended that all men get hereditary testing to figure out if they inherited prostate cancer risk genes.  

These are genes such as the BRCA I and II genes, BRCA II being the most common. And these are not just breast or ovarian cancer genes. It’s important for men to realize that you can inherit these from a mother or a father, that they can create risks for multiple cancers, not just female cancers, but prostate cancer in particular. 

And now we have guided therapies, targeted therapies that can improve survival in men with these certain mutations, and if you are found to have those mutations, your family members could be tested so that they could be screened, and cancer can be picked up earlier, and perhaps they could be cured rather than suffering the fate of a more advanced diagnosis. So, really important both for yourself and for family members. 

So, those are two major advances. A third one is imaging.  

Imaging keeps getting better and better. We used to just do CAT scans, bone scans, very insensitive tests that in men with advanced disease have a hard time seeing prostate cancer, even when it’s spread. But with the advent of new technologies, like PSMA PET scan, that got approved last year. So, very new technologies. That’s transforming the way we visualize where cancer may be hiding, and for men particularly that have high-risk disease or recurrent disease or even resistant disease, we’re using those scans to guide therapy. 

An Overview of Prostate Cancer Treatment Approaches

An Overview of Prostate Cancer Treatment Approaches from Patient Empowerment Network on Vimeo.

How is prostate cancer currently treated? Dr. Andrew Armstrong provides an overview of treatment options for prostate cancer patients across various stages of the disease.

Dr. Andrew J. Armstrong is a medical oncologist and director of clinical research at the Duke Cancer Institute’s Center for Prostate and Urologic Cancers. For more information on Dr. Armstrong here.

See More from Engage Prostate Cancer

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Key Questions for Prostate Cancer Patients to Ask Before Joining a Clinical Trial

Key Questions for Prostate Cancer Patients to Ask Before Joining a Clinical Trial

Should Prostate Cancer Patients Consider a Treatment in Clinical Trials

Should Prostate Cancer Patients Consider a Treatment in Clinical Trials?

An Expert’s Perspective on Emerging Prostate Cancer Research

An Expert’s Perspective on Emerging Prostate Cancer Research


Transcript:

Katherine:

What are the treatment options that are currently available for prostate cancer patients? 

Dr. Armstrong:

It’s a really important question, and I would say it depends. In early disease, when cancer is picked up early, many patients are cured. Prostate cancer is the number one survived cancer in the United States. It’s important to realize that and kind of take a deep breath and realize that most patients beat prostate cancer. Only about one out of six men will suffer a relapse or develop metastatic disease or Stage IV disease that requires more of a lifelong journey of therapy. 

So, most men come into this because they’ve been screened by their primary care doctor. They had a high PSA, they underwent a biopsy, they were found to have cancer.  

And the first decision, particularly for example at our Duke multidisciplinary clinic, the first decision that we always share with the patient, and as part of shared decision-making, is we give information about prognosis and risk using the PSA level, the biopsy information, staging information if imaging is done.  

And then giving a category or a risk group to that patient can help them decide what are the options that are nationally recommended, internationally recommended by evidence-based guidelines. The most important decision is whether that prostate cancer needs treatment right now at all, and the initial observation or active surveillance is a very valuable “first do no harm” approach for men with very low risk or low risk types of prostate cancer. With a low-grade cancer, low PSA, low stage, and that’s about a third of all patients.  

That’s a huge number of men are told they have cancer, but they actually don’t need initial treatment. 

And they need to be explained to, why we’re not going to treat that cancer, why it’s so safe, and why mortality is not high in that patient population when we don’t treat it, and how we do active surveillance. For example, imaging with MRI, repeat biopsies. And a lot of patients do appreciate that because they’re not undergoing surgery or radiation and they’re not being harmed by those treatments. That would be called overtreatment. That’s not for everybody, though. 

So, just like prostate cancer comes in different flavors, treatments come in different flavors. So, there’s things where the Gleason score is higher, the stage may be higher, the PSA is higher, and the risk to the patient is higher. And when we get into that more intermediate- and high-risk situation, treatment is going to be necessary. But then we’ll have a menu of treatment options that is important to talk through. Typically surgery, radiation, sometimes alternatives to that. 

Sometimes combinations with hormonal therapy, which we call systemic therapy. The drugs that work throughout the body. 

Katherine Banwell:

What about for patients who have advanced disease? 

Dr. Armstrong:

The word “advanced” can mean different things to different people. Advanced can mean metastatic disease. It can mean disease that’s not curable. But advanced can also mean that it’s high risk. That the disease is still confined to the prostate, but it’s aggressive, and that if it’s not handled quickly with a multidisciplinary approach, for example, it has a high risk of occurrence.  

So, advanced disease can mean aggressive, in need of treatment. Sometimes it can be cured if it’s confined to the prostate. Sometimes it requires more than just one treatment modality, such as surgery followed by radiation, or radiation plus some of the newer hormonal therapies.  

For men with stage IV disease, that means disease that has left the prostate and gone to distant sites, we have very effective therapies that can still control this type of advanced disease for many, many years, so it is important to realize how far we’ve come with all of our therapies and to reassure the patient and their family about the good prognosis, even in the worst-case scenario, for many patients. 

Prostate Cancer Shared Decision-Making: How Does It Work?

Prostate Cancer Shared Decision-Making: How Does It Work? from Patient Empowerment Network on Vimeo.

Prostate cancer researcher Dr. Andrew Armstrong describes the benefits of the shared decision-making process and encourages patients to take an active role in their care.

Dr. Andrew J. Armstrong is a medical oncologist and director of clinical research at the Duke Cancer Institute’s Center for Prostate and Urologic Cancers. For more information on Dr. Armstrong here.

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Transcript:

Katherine:

Patients may have heard the term “shared decision-making” Let’s go into – let’s define it, though. What is it, and how does it work? 

Dr. Armstrong:

Sure. So, if you imagine you’re a patient faced with the daunting task of a new cancer diagnosis and trying to navigate decision-making around treatment, or whether you need a certain test, and those tests or treatments have harms and they have benefits, shared decision-making is really the process of communication. You know, open, transparent communication between the doctor or provider and that patient and their family and supportive spouse and others, significant others, so that everybody has complete information around the risks and benefits of a certain treatment course or management course.  

In prostate cancer, this would mean for a newly diagnosed patient, commonly first giving information about what the risks of their cancer might be, but then what the risks and benefits of various treatment algorithms might be, and explaining in ways that a patient can understand those different journeys.  

Dr. Armstrong:

And ultimately the patient makes a shared decision-making with the doctor that’s in their best interest. 

Katherine Banwell:

In your view, what role do patients have in care decisions and why should they feel empowered to speak up and be a partner in their care? 

Dr. Armstrong:

Sure. Just like there’s many different types of doctors, there’s many different types of patients, and you have some patients that have PhDs, you have some patients that are not even sure what cancer is, and it’s really important to empower every patient to understand at a level that will help them make a decision. And some patients wish to have those decisions made for them. I hear that a lot. Some patients really just want to ingest the information, not make a rash decision 

Maybe get three or four second opinions, travel around to really get the right decision. And sometimes it can take a very long time. But every patient has a different journey, and it’s important for the provider, the doctor or the nurse practitioner or the surgeon, to really understand that patient and their values to help them arrive at the decision for themselves. Because sometimes treatment decisions may have equal efficacy but different side effects.  

For example, in prostate cancer, the most common decision is between active surveillance or a radical prostatectomy or radiation of different forms, or the robot versus the open procedure, or intensity modulated radiation or brachytherapy. And these are complex decisions, and I’ve had patients go for months without making decisions. And the shared decision-making approach really can help patients make a decision as quickly as possible. 

So that they can move on and either be cured from their cancer or make the best treatment decision. 

Katherine Banwell:

Dr. Armstrong, why is it so important that patients tell their doctor about any symptoms they’re experiencing? 

Dr. Armstrong:

Certainly symptoms may or may not be related to the prostate cancer, and doctors are well-trained to sift through all of that. You know, back pain could be from a herniated disc or arthritis, but it could be a sign of metastatic disease. Weight loss could be a sign of other metabolic problems, but it can also be a sign of really advanced prostate cancer. Urinary symptoms could just be a sign of a big prostate, may have nothing to do with the cancer, or it could be a big tumor that’s blocking off your bladder.  

So, being transparent and open and just describing what symptoms and letting that physician sort through that with you to help understand what symptoms may or may not be related to the cancer, that’s really important.