There are some clubs some men can’t wait to join or discuss. A college fraternity, a golf club, a fantasy football league or even a country club, perhaps.
Yet one in eight men will join a club that no one wants to discuss – and no one wants to join – We’re talking about the group of American men who will be diagnosed with prostate cancer each year.
Men often get their prostate cancer treated in secret or on the down-low, even among the closest of friends or family members. But that shouldn’t have to be the case.
Building a brotherhood, supporting peers and sharing stories can make all the difference for prostate cancer patients.
Talking about Prostate Cancer Opens Doors to Treatment Options
Just ask Howard, a prostate cancer patient who turned to the CyberKnife Center of Miami for help after talking to people he knew about treatment options.
“When I was diagnosed with prostate cancer, I thought my world was coming to an end. I spoke with many men about their prostate cancer treatments, and 95% told me that they had bad experiences with open surgery (prostatectomy) or standard radiation and many felt very sick from their treatments,” says Howard, who lives in Trinidad.
“It wasn’t until I spoke with my cousin in New Jersey that I learned about CyberKnife radiation therapy, and it sounded very interesting. No one ever told me about CyberKnife,” he says.
CyberKnife uses state-of-the-art, image-guided technology called stereotactic body radiation therapy or SBRT to treat prostate cancer. And CyberKnife, has some distinct advantages for prostate cancer.
- The CyberKnife radiation beams, which target and destroy the tumor, are so precise. That means there is less risk of side effects including impotence and incontinence.
- Treatments can be done in five radiation therapy sessions over 10 days compared to 42 over three months with other types of radiation treatments.
- It has none of the risks that come with surgery.
- It’s noninvasive.
Plus, CyberKnife has a very high success rate treating prostate cancer, according to CyberKnife Miami, about 95% when detected early.
With that information Howard flew to Miami.
“I was convinced this is where I needed to go for my treatment,” Howard says.
“Howard was an excellent candidate for CyberKnife,” says Dr. Mark Pomper, board-certified radiation oncologist and medical director of CyberKnife Miami.
Yet, if Howard wouldn’t have talked about his diagnosis, he wouldn’t have found the right treatment option for him.
Prostate Cancer: Talk Instead of Taboo
That’s why talk is better than taboo when it comes to prostate cancer.
Support from friends, family – and even strangers can benefit patients along their journey.
According to Man Up for Cancer, support groups can help with coping skills, resources and empowerment.
The Prostate Cancer Foundation even has groups for different men affected by the disease including those who are newly diagnosed, under 50, veterans, survivors, and the list goes on.
And you can also turn to your treatment center for support, especially if you choose a truly patient-focused center like CyberKnife Miami.
Prostate Cancer Treatment, CyberKnife Miami, Florida
“I think it’s the most common comment I get from patients is that “you probably have no idea how good your staff is. They take a potentially frightening experience and make it a warm and friendly one,” says Dr. Pomper.
Our job is to help you navigate this process as your partner, answer your questions and make sure your voice is heard.
If you would like to find out more about treatment with CyberKnife call us at 305-279-2900 or go to our website now for more information.