The Process

For Dr. Barken’s overview of the process, check out The Decision Pyramid. It will show you the process from collecting information, to sorting information with your coach, to making your own decision. Along the way you will make use of a wide variety of resources. Check out our Patient Reference Library for links to many sources of information. It may seem overwhelming at first, so take small steps into the Internet. Just check the first few to start with. Keep Dr. Barken’s M.E.D.S. Principle in mind. You will benefit from the support of others, and this includes your family, so keep them in the picture.

Your spouse may be more worried about your situation than you are so keep her needs in mind, too. If you live in the San Diego area, check out Local Activities to see what is going on and where you can meet other survivors. However, you don’t need to live in San Diego to participate in our activities. If you live in other parts of the world, check out Internet Programs to see what is available wherever you are.

Your Doctor

It is important to have a doctor who has a positive attitude and will be your unbiased partner in helping you decide what to do. As you learn about various treatment options, your doctor should be knowledgeable about all of them and be willing to discuss them with you. If he or she is not familiar with any particular option, you should see an expert in that field.

When you are visiting the doctor, it can be very stressful, and you may not remember everything that he or she is telling you. If it is at all possible, bring your spouse, or partner. They will be able to help you remember details and comprehend what is being said. Bringing a tape recorder is a good idea (be sure to tell your physician you are recording). Also, it is a very good idea to write down your questions in advance.

Learning about prostate cancer

You will need to learn the basics of the disease, and about its treatment. Call our office or write an Email to get the latest link to learning about prostate cancer.

Getting Support

In addition to joining a support group, you can get support on the Internet. Although many survivors are quite knowledgeable, you should keep in mind that not all the information there (or most places, for that matter) is totally unbiased and factual. Further on down the same page are Lists designed specifically for support rather than discussions on prostate cancer. Not all of them are very active.

Getting Expert Advice

Hopefully your doctor is a good source of information, and can help in dealing with issues that are important to you. You may wish help from other sources. You can ask questions about your case, and Dr. Israel Barken will answer. He will provide you with tools for applying the information in your particular situation, perhaps suggest where to go, and whom to see. Dr. Barken doesn’t believe in the superiority of one treatment over another. He believes in “Minimum Intervention – Maximum Surveillance”. The treatment has to be tailored to the person.

Send email to info@pcref.org to get more information about coaching. Although he does not act as your physician, he will review your case in detail and provides specific recommendations for you to discuss with your doctor. This can be done in person, by telephone or by Video Conference with WebEx.

You are on your way! Good luck. Don’t forget to check out Inspiration, too.