Being diagnosed with prostate cancer can be frightening. An estimated 27,540 deaths caused by prostate cancer were reported by the American Cancer Society in 2015 alone. Though it can be tempting to think the worst when you are first diagnosed, it's important to recognize that there are many different treatment options available to help patients overcome prostate cancer.

Here are some questions you might want to ask yourself when determining if high intensity focused ultrasound therapy (HIFU) is a viable treatment option for your own prostate cancer in the future.

1. Is my diagnosis new, or is my cancer recurring?

Even though prostate cancer may have been successfully treated in the past, there is always the possibility that your cancer could come out of remission. Recurring cancers can be more difficult to treat, since the cancer cells may have become immune to traditional chemotherapy treatments.

If your prostate cancer is recurring, then experimental treatments like HIFU therapy could help you get your cancer under control once again. Be sure to discuss your treatment options thoroughly with your doctor when diagnosed with recurring prostate cancer.

2. Are you hoping to avoid surgery as a treatment option for your prostate cancer?

Many individuals diagnosed with prostate cancer undergo surgery to remove cancerous tumors that are making them ill. If you are hoping to reserve surgery as a last resort when it comes to treatment options, then HIFU therapy could be beneficial.

This type of treatment involves the use of a transrectal probe that allows medical professionals to target hard-to-reach prostate tumors with direct ultrasound waves that will break up the tumor mass. By undergoing HIFU therapy you will potentially be able to control cancer growth without the recovery time associated with invasive surgery.

3. Can I afford to pay for experimental treatment?

Since HIFU treatments are still in the clinical trial stage, many insurance companies don't provide financial support for the costs associated with these therapies. Before determining if you should talk to your doctor about receiving HIFU therapy to treat your prostate cancer, it's important to evaluate your finances. If you are able to shoulder the full cost of treatment and associated hospital services, then HIFU could be a viable option for treating your prostate cancer.

While there is no definitive cure for prostate cancer, HIFU therapy could be effective in helping send your prostate cancer into remission. Be sure that you take the time to evaluate whether or not you are a good candidate for this type of therapy when creating a treatment plan with your oncologist in the future. For more information, visit www.internationalhifu.com.