Finding Support & Comfort Through Your Care Team
- Many patients feel overwhelmed after a prostate cancer diagnosis, especially with unfamiliar terms like PSA level, Gleason score, or PSMA scan being thrown around. Dr. Shirin Razdan, a urologist and robotic surgeon at HCA Florida Kendall Hospital, recommends that patients focus on the goals of care and work closely with care teams to ease some of that anxiety.
- “If they want to talk to radiation oncology, medical oncology, or even another urologist, that’s perfectly fine,” she says. “As long as they know they have a team taking care of them, that provides a lot of comfort.”
- A prostate cancer care team may include urologists, radiation oncologists, medical oncologists, surgeons, and other medical professionals. These specialists work together to build the best treatment plan.
- Patient preferences play a role in making treatment decisions as well, and patients should let their teams know about any concerns related to potential side effects, like issues with urinary and/or sexual function. Quality of life matters, too.
Understanding the goals of treatment, and the steps needed to hopefully achieve those goals, can help calm some of that anxiety, Dr. Shirin Razdan, a urologist and robotic surgeon at HCA Florida Kendall Hospital, tells SurvivorNet.
Read More“These quality-of-life factors, erectile function, urinary control, intimacy with your partner, those matter,” she says. “They are part of the decision-making.”
Your Prostate Cancer Care Team
Prostate cancer treatment will involve a care team that includes several different specialists, all working towards these same goals.
“There are multiple members of a treatment team. I’m just one piece of the puzzle as the surgeon,” Dr. Razdan says.
That care team may involve:
- Urologists: Specialists who treat urinary and reproductive system conditions
- Medical oncologists: Cancer doctors who manage therapies like hormone treatment
- Surgeons: Doctors who perform surgical procedures to remove cancer
- Radiation oncologists: Doctors who specialize in radiation treatments for cancer
- Radiologists: Specialists who interpret prostate MRIs and PSMA scans
Together, this group works collaboratively to build a treatment plan tailored to each patient’s cancer, and their personal preferences.
A Team Approach Can Bring Comfort
For patients, knowing there’s a full team behind them can make a major difference.
“When patients come to me, I let them know they’re not alone,” Dr. Razdan says. “They have an entire team.”
She often encourages patients to explore all their options, including speaking with other specialists.
“If they want to talk to radiation oncology, medical oncology, or even another urologist, that’s perfectly fine,” she says. “As long as they know they have a team taking care of them, that provides a lot of comfort.”
In the end, prostate cancer care is about aligning treatment with what matters most to the patient — whether that’s longevity, quality of life, or a balance of both. With the right team in place, patients can move forward with greater clarity and far less fear.
Questions To Ask Your Doctor
- How will we decide the next steps for my care?
- Do you recommend getting a second opinion?
- Who can I contact if I am experiencing side effects or other issues?
- How often will I be monitored as I undergo treatment?
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