LEARN
For the Newly Diagnosed
Hearing the words “you have cancer” can be overwhelming. If you or someone you love was just diagnosed with prostate cancer, you probably have more questions than answers right now, along with a lot of fear. Take a breath. At the Nebraska Prostate Cancer Alliance, we are here to help you find your footing and your next step.
Here is what matters most today: in most cases prostate cancer grows slowly. Once you are diagnosed, there is usually time to gather information, weigh your options, and make a plan with your doctor. Prostate cancer is also highly survivable, roughly 99% of men are still alive five years after diagnosis, and nearly 100% when it is caught early. You do not have to decide everything at once.
You Are Not Alone
Have hope. Prostate cancer is a treatable and manageable disease, and no matter the stage of your diagnosis, you have options for treatment. There are nearly 3 million prostate cancer survivors living in the United States today, and a community of men, families, and caregivers in Nebraska who have walked this same road.
This part of our website is dedicated to you as you build a plan for managing your prostate cancer, with what you need to know now and throughout your journey.
Take a Breath, Then Take the Next Step
You may have a hundred things on your mind. You do not need to sort them all out today. These are calm, practical next steps you can take at your own pace.
- Give yourself timeProstate cancer is usually slow growing, so you rarely need to make a rushed decision. It is okay to take a few weeks to learn and plan.
- Learn about your specific diagnosisAsk your doctor about your Gleason score (grade) and stage, and read how prostate cancer is diagnosed and graded.
- Write down your questionsBring a list to every appointment, and bring someone with you to listen and take notes.
- Understand your optionsTreatment ranges from active surveillance to surgery, radiation, and more. Ask which options fit your cancer and your life.
- Lean on supportTalk with loved ones, your care team, and other survivors. You do not have to carry this alone.
Ask Questions and Gather Information
The more you understand about your diagnosis, the more confident you will feel making decisions with your care team. Research published in the journal Cancer found that men who are well informed about their prostate cancer make better treatment decisions and tend to have better long-term outcomes, while those who lack information often struggle to choose and can receive poorer care. Knowledge is one of the most powerful tools you have right now, and gathering it is something you can start today.
Not sure where to begin? Read how prostate cancer is diagnosed and graded, review the facts and survival statistics, and use them to guide the conversations with your loved ones and your doctor.
Help the Men You Love Get Tested
Early detection is still the best protection. The Nebraska Prostate Cancer Alliance offers free PSA blood tests to men 40 and older at Cruisin’ for a Cure and community events across Nebraska. No insurance required. Results stay private. Encourage the men in your life to get tested, because catching prostate cancer early changes everything.
Keep Learning
Explore the topics that matter most right after a diagnosis: how prostate cancer is diagnosed and graded, the facts and survival statistics, and when and how testing works.