TRELSTAR - Someone I Know Has Prostate Cancer

Someone I Know Has Prostate Cancer

Dealing with prostate cancer can be a difficult process. Although prostate cancer may afflict one person, the effects of the disease are felt by those around the patient in an emotional sense.

As a caregiver you may be going through a difficult time yourself. Whether you are a spouse, friend, or family member of a cancer patient, you may be looking for direction in providing emotional and physical support to your loved one.

Each person may respond differently when diagnosed with a disease, such as cancer. Your loved one may want and need your support daily, or they may want to manage their condition themselves. Be sensitive to their needs and ask them how you can best support them at this time. Sometimes it is comforting for a person fighting a disease to simply know that someone is there should they need the additional support.

As a caregiver to your loved one you should feel comfortable discussing the condition, treatment options, and your concerns with their doctor. Their doctor most likely has other patients and caregivers in your same position and can help provide you with additional information and support.

It is helpful if you, along with your loved one, learn as much as you can about prostate cancer and the treatment options available. The more you know and are aware of what to expect with prostate cancer and treatments, the better you will be able to support your loved one during this challenging time.

Click here for a list of resources available to help you.

In addition to providing information on prostate cancer and available treatments, this site also focuses on TRELSTAR^®. You may have come to this site because your loved one is currently using TRELSTAR or will begin treatment with TRELSTAR. TRELSTAR is a type of prescription drug used as hormone therapy to decrease the testosterone levels which are needed for some cancer cells to grow. To learn more, visit the What to Expect While Using TRELSTAR section or the TRELSTAR FAQs section.

As with any treatment of a disease, it is helpful to identify a diet and exercise program that will help your loved one live more healthy. You should consult with your doctor to determine a diet and exercise program that is best for your loved one. Many partners/caregivers of prostate cancer patients have found it helpful if they participate in an active living program together.

We hope this site helps provide you with the information and support you need to best manage your loved-one’s prostate cancer care.

References

Indications and Usage

TRELSTAR^® Depot and TRELSTAR^® LA are indicated in the palliative treatment of advanced prostate cancer. TRELSTAR Depot and TRELSTAR LA offer an alternative treatment for prostate cancer when orchiectomy or estrogen administration are either not indicated or unacceptable to the patient.

Safety Information

After your first injection of TRELSTAR, you might feel a temporary increase in your cancer symptoms, such as pain in your bones. This is because the amount of testosterone in your bloodstream actually goes up for a short period after the injection. If your symptoms increase later than the first week or two following an injection, tell your doctor. The most common side effects that patients taking TRELSTAR have are actually the effect of lowering testosterone levels. The most common effect of lowering testosterone is hot flushes or flashes. These are like the hot flashes women have around the time of menopause. Other side effects include bone pain, impotence (sexual side effect), headache, leg pain, and swelling in the legs. Women who are or may become pregnant and those who are allergic to this type of drug should not take TRELSTAR. For more information on these and other side effects, please talk to your doctor.