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• September is Prostate Health Awareness Month in the Michigan Cancer Consortium Initiative.

• Since 1987, more Michigan men have been diagnosed with prostate cancer than with any other single type of cancer.

• Part of the human toll taken by prostate cancer is the sense typically experienced by newly diagnosed patients of a loss of personal control over their lives. However, this can be remedied by ensuring that newly diagnosed cancer patients are provided with accurate and timely information about their diagnosis and the various treatment options they have.

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• Information about treatment should include the benefits, drawbacks, and side effects of each option.

• Once informed, newly diagnosed men can adapt to their diagnosis and actively participate in decisions about their care.

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• Investigators have shown that there are significant benefits to providing cancer patients with information. These benefits include:

  • Increased participation in the treatment decision process and increased satisfaction with the treatment choice;

  • A sense of gained control and a resulting ability to better cope with the stress of the diagnosis;

  • An increased ability to cope with treatment-related issues; and

  • An increased understanding of the disease and the issues that surround it among family members and other providers of support.

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• However, even though the need for such information is clear, it is believed patients who have just received a diagnosis of prostate cancer frequently do not receive accurate, unbiased information about the potential benefits and the potential risks of each treatment option before therapy is initiated.

• The Michigan Cancer Consortium conducted a survey of knowledge and understanding of prostate cancer treatment options, side effects, and quality of life among men newly diagnosed with prostate cancer. Based on the results of the survey and a comprehensive review of existing patient education materials, a new resource entitled Making the Choice: Deciding What to Do About Early Stage Prostate Cancer was developed and is now available in booklet, audio, and Web-based formats. The booklet (available in English- , Spanish- , and Arabic-language versions) and the audio formats can be ordered free of charge by phoning 800-249-0314 or by visiting www.prostatecancerdecision.org. On the Web site, the booklet (both English and Spanish versions) and audio formats can be downloaded and the Web-based format can be viewed.

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• To learn more about becoming involved in the Michigan Cancer Consortium's efforts to disseminate these materials to men newly diagnosed with prostate cancer and their families, call the MCC (toll-free) at 877-588-MCCI.

*Please Note: You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to open, view and print this file once it has been downloaded. If you need a free copy of Adobe Acrobat Reader, please click here.

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last updated: 02/11/07

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