Here are some questions that you might want to ask.

• How sure are you that I have cancer? (How reliable are the tests you used to diagnose my prostate cancer?)
• How big is my tumor?
• Has my prostate cancer spread? What stage is it? How sure are you that this is the stage of my cancer?
• Do I need extra tests to see if the cancer has spread to my lymph nodes or other parts of my body? How reliable are these tests?
• What is the grade of my prostate cancer? (This can tell you how aggressive your cancer is and how likely it is to spread.)
• What about my age and my state of health generally? Will this affect what will happen to me?
• Will I get symptoms even if I don't have any now? What will they feel like?
• How often will I need to have tests and checkups?
• What's the best treatment for me? Do I have any choices?
• What are the side effects of treatment?
• What's the chance that I will survive my prostate cancer? How long will I probably live?
• Is there anything I can do to help myself? Do I need to make any changes to my lifestyle?
• How can I tell my family I have cancer?

This information is for educational use only, and is not a substitute for prompt professional medical advice. Readers should always consult a physician or other professional for advice and treatment. ©BMJ Publishing Group Limited 2008. All rights reserved.