30+ Prostate Cancer Questions to Ask Your Doctor
Author:
Published:
5 minutes
Table of Contents
Key Takeaways
A prostate cancer diagnosis can make everything feel urgent, even when the cancer may grow slowly. The right questions can help you understand your diagnosis, compare options, and make choices that fit your health and your life.
Questions About Diagnosis
What stage and grade is my cancer?
Start by asking: “What stage and grade is my prostate cancer?” Stage describes how far cancer has spread. Grade describes how abnormal the cells look and can relate to how likely the cancer is to grow or spread. The National Cancer Institute has published a guide on how to interpret cancer stage and grade and what they mean for prognosis and treatment options.
If possible, ask your clinician to write these down:
Stage (TNM): Tumor size or extent, lymph node involvement, and whether there’s evidence of metastasis.
Grade group or Gleason score: How aggressive the cells look under the microscope.
PSA level: A blood test that can help with risk assessment and monitoring over time.
How aggressive is it?
Ask: “How aggressive is it, and what makes you say that?” This invites your clinician to explain which factors they’re using, such as PSA, biopsy results, grade, imaging, and stage, to estimate risk.
You can follow up with:
“What did my biopsy show, how many samples were positive, and how much cancer was in them?”
Do I need more tests before deciding?
Ask: “Do I need more tests before we decide on treatment?” Some people benefit from additional imaging or a careful review of pathology to clarify risk and avoid over-treatment or under-treatment.
Useful follow-ups include:
“Would a second review of my biopsy slides change anything?”
“Would imaging change the plan for me?”
For more questions to ask your doctor, visit the National Cancer Institute’s guide for conversations with your provider.
Questions About Treatment Options
Active Surveillance vs. Treatment
Am I a candidate for active surveillance? Why or why not?
Ask: “Am I a candidate for active surveillance?” Active surveillance is a structured approach that monitors the cancer closely and starts treatment if signs suggest the cancer is changing. It’s often discussed for certain lower-risk cancers, because it may help some people avoid or delay side effects from treatment.
If active surveillance is on the table, ask for the details:
“Will I need repeat biopsies, and how often?”
What’s the difference between active surveillance and watchful waiting?
Ask: “Are we talking about active surveillance or watchful waiting, and what’s the difference?” These terms can sound similar, but they are not the same. Active surveillance is typically a planned monitoring strategy with the option of curative treatment if needed, while watchful waiting generally focuses on symptom management.
Surgery, Radiation, and Hormone Therapy
Which options fit my situation?
Ask: “What are my main treatment options for my stage and risk level?” Depending on your cancer and overall health, options may include active surveillance, surgery, radiation therapy, and sometimes hormone therapy.
Then ask the question that makes the conversation real:
A helpful way to compare options is to ask the same three follow-ups each time:
“What’s the goal of this approach?”
“What are the benefits and harms?”
“How likely are those benefits and harms for someone like me?”
If I’m considering surgery, what should I ask?
Surgery for prostate cancer is commonly called a radical prostatectomy. Ask: “What does recovery look like for me?” and “What side effects are most common?”
Other practical questions:
You may also ask how surgery aligns with guideline-based care for your exact risk category. Using the AUA/ASTRO Guideline may help with that.
If I’m considering radiation, what should I ask?
Radiation can be delivered in different ways, and the schedule can vary. Ask: “What type of radiation are you recommending, and why does it fit my cancer?”
Then make it concrete:
“How many treatments will I need, and what will day-to-day life look like during therapy?”
“What side effects should I plan for, and when do they usually happen?”
Guidelines may also address when radiation is used alone versus combined with other treatments, depending on risk group.
If hormone therapy is recommended, what should I ask?
Hormone therapy, often called androgen deprivation therapy (ADT), may be recommended in some situations, including in combination with radiation for certain risk categories. Ask: “Why do I need ADT, and for how long?”
Then ask about real-life impact:
Questions About Side Effects and Quality of Life
How might treatment affect sexual function?
Many people want to know about erections, libido, and intimacy, but may feel uncomfortable bringing it up. You can say: “I want to understand how each option may affect sexual function and what support is available.”
Follow-ups that keep the discussion practical:
What urinary or bowel changes should I expect?
Ask: “How might each option affect urinary control and bowel habits?” Side effects can vary by treatment type, and your baseline symptoms also matter.
You can also ask:
What will recovery look like over time?
Ask for a time-based roadmap: “What should I expect in the first two weeks, at three months, and at one year?” This can help you plan work, caregiving, travel, and support at home.
If you feel rushed, ask for a follow-up visit focused only on side effects and recovery planning.
Questions About Prognosis and Follow-Up
What is my prognosis, and what affects it?
Ask: “Based on my stage and grade, what is my outlook, and what factors matter most?” Prognosis is an estimate based on groups of people, so it should be discussed alongside your individual health and cancer features.
It may also help to know that many people live for years after diagnosis. In the U.S., the National Cancer Institute found that overall 5-year relative survival for prostate cancer is high, though it can vary depending on stage.
What follow-up testing will I need?
Ask: “What is my follow-up plan, and how will we monitor for recurrence or progression?” Follow-up often includes PSA testing and scheduled visits, with the exact plan depending on your treatment choice and risk category.
Helpful follow-ups:
Should I get a second opinion?
If you’re choosing between monitoring, surgery, radiation, or combined approaches, a second opinion can help you feel more confident that you understand the tradeoffs. You can ask: “Can you help me get a second opinion, and what records should I bring?”
Frequently Asked Questions
Is prostate cancer always slow-growing?
No. Many cases grow slowly, but others may be more aggressive. That’s why your stage, grade, PSA, and other findings are so important to review carefully.
Do I need treatment right away?
Not always. Some people may be candidates for active surveillance, which includes a structured monitoring plan and clear triggers for starting treatment if the cancer changes.
How common is prostate cancer?
In the U.S., about 12.9% of men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime, and millions of men are living with a prior diagnosis.
Takeaway
You do not have to remember everything during an appointment. Bring your questions, ask for answers in writing, and consider bringing a trusted support person to take notes or allow Aviator to help organize records, prepare questions, and navigate benefits,http://aviatorhealth.co/signup.
Disclaimer:
This article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Consult with your healthcare provider for personal guidance. Aviator provides advocacy and guidance, but individual circumstances may vary. In emergencies, contact appropriate services immediately.
References
National Cancer Institute. (n.d.). Prostate cancer treatment (PDQ®)–health professional version. https://www.cancer.gov/types/prostate/hp/prostate-treatment-pdq
National Cancer Institute. (n.d.). Questions to ask about your diagnosis. https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/diagnosis-staging/questions
National Cancer Institute. (n.d.). Questions to ask about treatment. https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/treatment/questions
Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) Program. (n.d.). Cancer stat facts: Prostate cancer. National Cancer Institute. https://seer.cancer.gov/statfacts/html/prost.html
American Urological Association. (2022). Clinically localized prostate cancer: AUA/ASTRO guideline (2022). https://www.auanet.org/guidelines-and-quality/guidelines/clinically-localized-prostate-cancer-aua/astro-guideline-2022
