2022-11-30T13:09:38
(BPT) – This content is sponsored and provided by Myovant Sciences and Pfizer Inc.
Did you know that men are less likely to go to the doctor than women? A study conducted by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control in 2018 found that nearly a quarter of men had not seen a doctor in the past year – while only half as many women reported the same. Some men may try to “tough it out” when they have an issue, rather than seeking help, but it is important to receive regular preventative care and manage any new or existing conditions in order to stay healthy. In addition to taking stock of your own health, it’s also a good idea to check in with the men in your life to make sure they’re taking care of themselves.
Take a few moments to review the following five frequently asked questions about prostate cancer to ensure you have a few key facts about this surprisingly common and potentially serious disease – including what you can do if you or a loved one is diagnosed.
1. How common is prostate cancer?
Approximately one in eight men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime. Prostate cancer is the most common form of cancer in American men, other than skin cancer, and is the second leading cause of cancer death for men in the U.S. The American Cancer Society estimates that there will be about 268,000 new cases of prostate cancer in 2022.
Risk factors for prostate cancer include older age (most commonly after age 65), race, family history and genetic factors.
2. Who should be screened for prostate cancer?
The American Urological Association (AUA) prostate cancer screening guidelines suggest men 55 to 69 years old have a discussion with their doctor about whether to get screened for prostate cancer. Men with a family history of prostate cancer and Black men may be at a higher risk for prostate cancer and can talk to their doctor about getting screened at an earlier age.
3. What can you do if you or a loved one is diagnosed with prostate cancer?
When someone is diagnosed with prostate cancer, they should talk to their doctor, who will work with them to assess their personal situation and determine how to help manage the disease. Some patients may feel overwhelmed, so it is important they take time to absorb the information their doctor shares with them. Asking any questions that come to mind is also crucial in order for patients to feel confident about their path forward.
Additionally, coping with a serious condition like cancer can take an emotional toll on the individual patient, so it is important for patients to take care of their mental health. Receiving a diagnosis of cancer can cause a range of feelings including disbelief, fear, anger, anxiety, and depression. Many prostate cancer patients experience severe levels of depression, which can negatively affect their treatment progress and disease course. Adding to this, prostate cancer may be seen as a private disease, which can be emotionally isolating.
Support from friends and family is also incredibly important, so if one of your loved ones has been diagnosed with prostate cancer, know there are many resources that can help you learn how to best support them.
4. What does it mean for prostate cancer to become advanced?
Prostate cancer is considered advanced if it is recurrent (meaning it has returned after initial treatment), locally advanced (meaning it has spread to tissues near the prostate) or metastatic (meaning it has spread to other parts of the body).
Some men with advanced prostate cancer may experience problems passing urine or may see blood in their urine. Some may also feel tired, weak or lose weight. However, some men with advanced prostate cancer may not have any signs or symptoms. While advanced prostate cancer cannot be cured, there are ways to treat it, once detected.
5. What are some potential treatment options?
If prostate cancer is detected, healthcare providers may suggest different treatment options based on the results of test findings, the stage of the cancer, and the patient’s overall health. It’s important for patients to work with their doctors to understand and assess each option and determine what is best for them.
For advanced prostate cancer, first-line treatment often includes androgen deprivation therapy (ADT), which can lower levels of testosterone – a hormone that most prostate cancer needs to grow. One ADT option is ORGOVYX® (relugolix), the first and only oral gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) receptor antagonist prescription medicine used in adults for the treatment of advanced prostate cancer. Unlike other forms of ADT, ORGOVYX is a pill, not an injection. Please see Important Safety Information below and full Prescribing Information and Patient Information for ORGOVYX. For more information about ORGOVYX, visit www.ORGOVYX.com.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION AND USE
What should I tell my healthcare provider before taking ORGOVYX?
Tell your healthcare provider about all of your medical conditions, including if you:
- Have any heart problems, including a condition called long QT syndrome.
- Are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. ORGOVYX can harm your unborn baby and cause loss of pregnancy (miscarriage).
- Have a partner who is pregnant or may become pregnant.
- Males who have female partners who are able to become pregnant should use effective birth control (contraception) during treatment with ORGOVYX and for 2 weeks after the last dose of ORGOVYX.
- Are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if ORGOVYX passes into your breast milk.
Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines or treatments you receive, including: prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Taking ORGOVYX with certain other medicines can affect how ORGOVYX works or may cause side effects.
You should not start or stop any medicine before you talk with your healthcare provider who prescribed ORGOVYX.
What are the possible side effects of ORGOVYX?
Serious side effects of ORGOVYX include:
- Changes in the electrical activity of your heart (QT prolongation). Your healthcare provider may check your body salts (electrolytes) and the electrical activity of your heart during treatment with ORGOVYX. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you get any signs or symptoms of QT prolongation, including:
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Most common side effects of ORGOVYX include:
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ORGOVYX may cause other side effects including weight gain, decreased sex drive, and erectile function problems.
ORGOVYX may cause fertility problems in males, which may affect your ability to father children. Talk to your healthcare provider if this is a concern for you.
These are not all the possible side effects of ORGOVYX. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects or if you have a side effect that bothers you or does not go away.
You may report side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
What is ORGOVYX?
ORGOVYX is a prescription medicine used in adults for the treatment of advanced prostate cancer.
It is not known if ORGOVYX is safe or effective in females or children.
