Your Doctor

Does the doctor communicate well?

A good physician will explain your condition in detail, taking the time to answer all of your questions and correcting any misconceptions you may have. It is your right to receive a complete description of all your options, and their advantages and disadvantages - vital information if you are to have a sense of control over what is happening to you. If the doctor fails to disclose this information, or does not encourage you to choose for yourself which treatment you wish to receive, find another doctor.

Throughout the period of your treatment, the physician should continue to keep you fully informed of the nature and rationale behind any tests or procedures recommeneded to you. Clear and concise written materials that explain the basic facts of prostate cancer, its symptoms and various treatment alternatives, should also be made available.

Does the physician show personal interest in you and your case?

A doctor who communicates concern for the patient as an individual will ease the treatment process. A doctor who cares will inspire trust in his or her patients and help to allay their fears. A relationship of trust and care between doctor and patient can greatly contribute to the patient's recovery. But a doctor who sees patients only as another medical condition to treat will leave his or her patients feeling alienated, confused and anxious. Ultimately, such a doctor will impede the progress of those under his or her care.

Is the doctor optimistic?

A doctor who expresses belief that you can be successfully treated will be of great advantage to you. Optimism is infectious. If your physician believes in the likelihood of your recovery, he or she will encourage a positive attitude in you.

Do you feel comfortable with the doctor?

In the final analysis, all of the above questions come down to this. Do you trust and have confidence in your physician? Does he or she put you at ease? Are you able to talk with your physician in a relaxed manner?

A doctor may be completely suited for treating some patients and unsuited for treating others. It may be nothing more than a matter of incompatible personalities. Yet you will be making some critical decisions with this doctor, and undergoing a treatment process that can be difficult and extend for months or even years. You will need a doctor you can depend on when the going gets tough. If for any reason you do not feel comfortable with your physician, you should carefully consider whether it is in your interests to find care elsewhere.