Taking an active role in your treatment decisions when you have a chronic condition can have genuine benefits for your health. Speaking up helps your medical team know what’s most important to YOU so they can better plan how they approach your care.¹

*This does not apply to all patients with chronic conditions, and it is not specific to patients with metastatic prostate cancer. It is unclear from the study results whether the improved health outcomes were a direct result of patients’ involvement or their underlying health status.

Some people think that because medical teams have lots of expertise and experience, you should solely leave decision-making to them. But that’s not true. Many medical teams prefer shared decision-making, where their patients are involved in making decisions. Sometimes speaking up can impact the options they provide you because they now understand what’s most important to you.¹

Choosing to take an active role can inspire a positive frame of mind, which may have its own health benefits. It can also help you become more focused on your health decisions.^2,3

Being an engaged patient doesn’t have to be “all or nothing.” Small steps can make a big difference. Here are a few places you can start:

1. Come prepared with a list of questions for your care team. It is easy to forget what you wanted to ask at your appointment, so write everything down and keep it handy.¹

2. Talk about how you feel. It’s OK to bring up any mental, social, or spiritual concerns you have. Your care team is often able, and more than willing, to help.¹

3. Join a support group. Many people find support groups helpful because they provide the opportunity to talk with others who are going through, or have been through, similar experiences.¹

Metastatic prostate cancer can be treated several ways. Hormone therapy is often combined with other therapies to help increase their effectiveness. Finding the right treatment for you is important, and some men want "the experts" to make these decisions. But your health care team wants your input—YOU are the expert on YOU!¹

Taking an active role in your care can help you¹:

• Understand the pros and cons of each treatment option

• Know what to expect from each treatment

• Inform your health care team about your preferences and needs so they are taken into consideration as part of your treatment plan

Rick and his care partner, Melanie, reflect on how they took a proactive approach to his care.^†

^†Patient and care partner experiences are individual and vary. Rick and Melanie were compensated for their participation in this video.