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TL;DR: Ask your doctor three important questions at your next visit about treatment length, side effect risks, and whether you need extra medicine with radiation.

KEY POINTS:

• Ask if you can do radiation in 4-5 weeks instead of 7 weeks (it works just as well but takes less time)
• Ask your doctor to explain the exact chances of bowel and bladder problems based on YOUR body and treatment plan
• Ask whether radiation alone is enough for you, or if you need radiation plus extra hormone medicine based on your cancer test results
• Bring a notebook to write down the answers so you remember them
• These questions help you make the best choice for YOUR situation

NEXT STEP: Write down these three questions before your Friday appointment so you don't forget to ask them.

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For Your Next Appointment

You should ask your radiation oncologist (the doctor who gives radiation treatment) three important things at your Friday visit:

Question 1: Can You Do a Shorter Treatment Schedule?

Ask whether you can do radiation in 4 to 5 weeks instead of 7 weeks.

What this means: Radiation treatment is usually given in smaller doses over many weeks. Some doctors can give slightly bigger doses fewer times, which takes less time but works just as well.

Why ask: If you can finish in 4-5 weeks instead of 7 weeks, you get back to your normal life faster. It's the same treatment—just faster.

Question 2: What Are YOUR Specific Side Effect Risks?

Ask your doctor to explain the exact numbers for bowel (intestines) and urinary (pee) problems based on YOUR body and YOUR treatment plan.

What this means: Radiation can sometimes cause problems with your bowels or bladder. But the risk is different for every person depending on where your cancer is and how the radiation beams are aimed.

Why ask: You need to know YOUR specific risks, not just general information. Your doctor should tell you something like "You have a 5% chance of bowel problems" instead of just saying "Some people get bowel problems."

Question 3: Do You Need Extra Medicine With Radiation?

Ask whether radiation alone is enough for you, or if you need radiation PLUS short-term hormone medicine (called ADT—androgen deprivation therapy).

What this means:

• Radiation alone = just the radiation treatment
• Radiation plus ADT = radiation treatment PLUS medicine that lowers hormone levels for a few months

Why ask: Your doctor did a special test on your cancer (called a Decipher score) that helps predict which treatment works best for YOUR cancer. Ask your doctor what your score means and whether it changes what treatment you should get.

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How to Prepare for This Conversation

Bring something to write with. Write down the answers so you remember them later.

Ask follow-up questions if you don't understand. It's okay to say "Can you explain that in simpler words?" or "Can you write that number down for me?"

Ask about side effects. For each treatment option, ask: "What problems might happen? How often? How bad could they be?"

Ask about your daily life. Ask questions like: "Can I work during treatment?" or "Will I be tired?" or "Can I drive myself to appointments?"

This information is for educational purposes only. Always consult your healthcare team for personalized medical advice and decisions.