From Service to Survivorship Prostate Cancer Resources for Veterans
Information prepared by SurvivorNet in collaboration with leading experts from the VA and other major hospital systems.
Navigating Prostate Cancer
Knowing Your Risk & How To Access Care
Screening Matters: 1 in 8 American men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer during their lifetime. For Veterans, that risk increases to 1 in 5. While there is some debate about when to begin prostate cancer screening (and how frequently to do it), the general consensus is that most men should start screening at age 50, and as early as 40 if there is high risk from a family history of prostate cancer.
Access The VA: You can get screened and treated through the Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) community care network. If care cannot be provided at a VA facility, the government pays for vets to access quality healthcare outside the VA.
Get Informed: The information on this page, and in the quick access guides below, is intended to empower veterans to make better decisions about care and feel less alone.
Additional SurvivorNet Prostate Cancer Resources
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The VA’s Approach to Prostate Cancer: Treatment and Support Services -
What Happens if My PSA Test is Elevated? -
Why Men With Advanced Prostate Cancer Should Get the Hugely Important New PSMA PET Scan -
Pluvicto Provides Hope For Veterans with Metastatic Prostate Cancer -
The VA’s Role in Progressing Prostate Cancer Research
Al Roker's Special Message: Be Proactive
For prostate cancer, if you can detect it early, you’re more likely to survive this highly treatable form of cancer. One in five U.S. military veterans will develop prostate cancer in their lifetimes, according to research published in the Journal of the American Urological Association. Awareness around basic prostate... Read More
- Some groups of vets at much higher risk
- Screening guidelines depend on family history, age, genetics, and race
- Screening consists of a (PSA) blood test and a digital rectal exam
Prostate Cancer Prevention & Screening For Veterans
- Some groups of vets at much higher risk
- Screening guidelines depend on family history, age, genetics, and race
- Screening consists of a (PSA) blood test and a digital rectal exam
- There is no one tell-tale sign that indicates a prostate cancer diagnosis.
- A change in urination habits or pain in the back, hips, or pelvis could be signs.
- If prostate cancer is suspected, your doctor will likely order a biopsy.
Symptoms & Diagnosis
- There is no one tell-tale sign that indicates a prostate cancer diagnosis.
- A change in urination habits or pain in the back, hips, or pelvis could be signs.
- If prostate cancer is suspected, your doctor will likely order a biopsy.
Leaning on Your Cancer Care Team
- Some prostate cancers are considered low-risk and do not require treatment right away.
- When treatment is needed, approaches like surgery, radiation, hormonal therapy, or a combination of different treatments may be used.
Treatment Options For Veterans
- Some prostate cancers are considered low-risk and do not require treatment right away.
- When treatment is needed, approaches like surgery, radiation, hormonal therapy, or a combination of different treatments may be used.
Coping With Side Effects
- When prostate cancer has metastasized, or spread to other parts of the body, there are still many available treatment options.
- There have also been many new advances, such as androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) drugs and PARP inhibitors.
- Clinical trials looking into new cancer drugs may also be an option for some.
Treatment Options for Advanced Prostate Cancer
- When prostate cancer has metastasized, or spread to other parts of the body, there are still many available treatment options.
- There have also been many new advances, such as androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) drugs and PARP inhibitors.
- Clinical trials looking into new cancer drugs may also be an option for some.
Addressing Mental Health at the VA
Vet Sheds Light on the Realities of Living With Prostate Cancer
Rick Driscoll is a 31-year veteran of the Massachusetts National Guard who prides himself on caring for fellow soldiers with physical and emotional scars. Among the soldiers under his care, four of them were diagnosed with cancer. The lessons he learned from caring for the battle-scared warriors proved personally helpf... Read More
Additional SurvivorNet Prostate Cancer Resources
- The VA’s Approach to Prostate Cancer: Treatment and Support Services
- What Happens if My PSA Test is Elevated?
- Why Men With Advanced Prostate Cancer Should Get the Hugely Important New PSMA PET Scan
- Pluvicto Provides Hope For Veterans with Metastatic Prostate Cancer
- The VA’s Role in Progressing Prostate Cancer Research