What you can expect as a patient

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men. In Australia, the risk of getting prostate cancer by the age of 75 is 1 in 7 men. By the age of 85, this increases to 1 in 5.¹ Early diagnosis and treatment can mean a positive outcome for many.

Only men have a prostate gland. The prostate is a small gland below the bladder and near the rectum in men. It surrounds the urethra, the passage to the penis through which urine and semen pass.

The prostate gland is part of the reproductive system. It makes prostate fluid, one of the components of semen, and a protein called prostate specific antigen (PSA). To grow and develop, the prostate relies on the male hormone testosterone, which is made by the testicles.

The prostate is often described as being the size of a walnut, and it is common for it to grow as men age.

We know that hearing the words, ‘you have cancer’ and coming to terms with a cancer diagnosis can be incredibly challenging – for you and your loved ones.

At GenesisCare we believe care should be focused on you, the individual, and not just the condition. Our belief is that care be available when and where you need it most and be designed to help give you the best life outcomes possible.

John's battle with prostate cancer

If you are diagnosed with prostate cancer the specialist leading your treatment may be a urologist, radiation oncologist or perhaps a medical oncologist. The group of specialists supporting your care may discuss your treatment options with other health professionals within a multidisciplinary team (MDT) meeting.

Different factors influence what treatment may be recommended for your cancer. These include:

• The type of cancer
• Tumour location
• Speed of growth
• How advanced the cancer is
• Your age

At GenesisCare we are constantly challenging ourselves to design better care. We personalise care for you and your condition so treatment can involve a combination of therapies such as surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, hormonal therapy, dietary changes, and other holistic care.

Making the decision about what cancer treatment to have can be difficult. We recommend you discuss all your options (including those suggested by your multidisciplinary team) with your specialist before starting any treatment. Further important considerations may include the location of the treatment centre, duration of treatment(s), potential side-effects, and any extra costs.

At GenesisCare we not only focus on treating your cancer, we also take a holistic approach that cares for you as a person.

Our oncologists work with a team of medical professionals to design a personalised treatment plan that is tailored for you. Our centres are staffed with caring and highly qualified teams to provide you with the highest level of care throughout your treatment. Each step of your treatment will be closely monitored, and each member of your team will be fully informed and up to date with your treatment progress.

We provide each of the following to you:

• Rapid access to treatment – no waiting list
• A personalised prostate care plan, including preference of appointment times to fit your schedule
• One oncologist managing your treatment from start to finish
• A GenesisCare nurse will coordinate your care and offer personalised support

State of the art technology and innovative treatments

We work closely with other healthcare professionals to deliver comprehensive care to you.

Treatments we offer:

• Radiation therapy
• Chemotherapy
• Hormonal therapy
• Theranostics

Radiation therapy – Radiation therapy, also called radiotherapy, kills cancer cells. It can also be used to relieve pain and discomfort from cancer that has spread.

There are many ways to have radiation therapy, but they all work in a similar way. Carefully controlled high-energy X-rays destroy or damage cancer cells. This stops them growing or spreading. Radiation therapy is usually delivered in daily intervals called ‘fractions’. This allows time between treatments for the healthy cells to repair and the cancer cells to die off.

Supporting radiation therapy with spacers

Some patients may be offered the use of gel spacing as a treatment option for their radiation therapy, and this is something that your radiation oncologist will discuss with you. As the rectum sits close to the prostate, the use of a gel creates a space between the prostate and the rectum, ensuring the radiation is targeted at the prostate, to minimise the amount and to lower the chances of damage to the rectum. This may be done at the same time as the placement of fiducial markers, to provide additional guidance for your treatment.

Are there risks of radiation therapy that I should be aware of?

Side effects may arise because of the proximity of the rectum and bladder. During treatment, these symptoms are usually mild, and only occasionally moderate in intensity. There may be slowing of the urinary stream, increased frequency of needing to pass urine and a degree of stinging when passing urine. Similarly, you may pass more wind from the rectum and have some irregularity of bowel functioning and loose stools.

Side effects usually decrease within a few weeks of the treatment being completed. You will be given clear instructions on things you can do to minimise these symptoms during treatment.

Occasionally symptoms can persist more long term, and your radiation oncologist will discuss the potential long-term changes that can affect your bladder, bowel, and erectile functioning.

The majority of men undertaking prostate radiation therapy will also undertake hormonal therapy leading up to, during, and sometimes for a time after radiation therapy. This improves the outcome of prostate radiation therapy by enhancing local control, and by potentially reducing relapse.⁵ Your treatment team will discuss and prescribe hormone therapy where required. They will also monitor you whilst on the treatment, supporting you to manage potential side effects.