This article touches upon the problem of prostate cancer treatment. You will know how French men treat this disease, and why France is the best destination for cancer treatment.
Oncological diseases are rather dangerous. Cancer is a fatal disease, but in European countries, particularly in France, cancer mortality is much lower, and life expectancy is higher than in most other countries.
There are three main types of cancer treatment: surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy. But this does not mean that all these methods are used in the same way in different countries.
As for prostate cancer, it should be said that mortality from it is extremely rare in France, and such side effects as erectile dysfunction and urinary incontinence are also rare. Why is this happening?
Let’s take Jean, who lives in France, as an example.
Jean’s father had prostate cancer, so since Jean was 45 he underwent clinical oncology examination every two years, and he had a PSA test every year. On the eve of his 54th birthday, he checked his PSA level as usual, but that time the test showed that there was an increased level of PSA.
The next day, Jean went to his urologist for a more detailed examination. The early stage of prostate cancer was revealed. The surgery to remove the tumor was scheduled.
A month later, Jean was operated on with the Da Vinci Robot of the latest generation. By the way, 95 % of urological surgeries in France are performed with this robot. Jean spent only three days after the surgery in the clinic and then he went home. A month later Jean completely forgot about the surgery performed, he had no erectile problems at all. All he needed was to undergo an annual examination to prevent a possible relapse.
Now let’s consider the story of John, who has been living in the USA all his life.
John had no time and no wish to visit doctors. In addition, he had no health insurance, so it was too expensive for him to pay for medical services.
A month before his 55th birthday, he began to notice strange symptoms, namely:
- a sudden and compelling urge to urinate, especially at nights;
- erectile problems;
- dribbling and weak urine stream.
John was sure that all those symptoms were temporary, and they would disappear by itself. However, the symptoms did not disappear, besides, new problems appeared:
- painful ejaculation;
- blood in the urine.
At last, John visited a urologist. The urologist diagnosed prostate cancer. Surgical intervention was required. The average price for prostatectomy in the USA was 40000 dollars. John was desperate – it was too expensive.
John decided to ask for a second opinion via online-services. He asked for several second opinions in different countries and then he decided to be operated on in France. John came to Lyon, where without any wait-lists he bid farewell to his disease for 12 000 euros only. However, note that before the prostatectomy, John was prescribed special medicine that reduced the tumor, so that surgery would be less invasive. After the surgery, John was ordered a course of radiotherapy. The required dose and angle of radiation therapy were determined at a special medical meeting, where 7 doctors, 2 technicians, and 2 radiotherapists took part. A two-month course of radiotherapy consisting of 22 treatment sessions in France cost 7000 euros. John combined his treatment with pleasure – Lyon turned out to be a wonderful, picturesque town with its friendly and good-hearted citizens.
Now John may not worry about a possible relapse. 
Does severe disease imply aggressive treatment?
Today in France, all researches in the field of oncology are intended to improve the existing methods of treatment and to cut side effects on the patient's health. It is called "Quality of Life" during treatment.
During chemotherapy, special cooling caps and gloves are used to reduce hair and nail loss. In order to decrease side effects, chemotherapy alternates with biotherapy. All dosages are prescribed individually.
Radiation therapy with the help of devices of a new generation has become more accurate and less harmful. The malicious effect on healthy cells decreases, the risks of burns and relapse are very low.
Surgery has become less invasive, the duration of stay in the hospital has become less. The patient spends 3 days in the clinic, and then he leads his traditional way of life.
Additional innovative techniques, such as immunotherapy and radioactive torpedo, chemotherapy, and biotherapy in tablets are also widely used in France.
The most in-demand destinations for cancer treatment for men
Urologist Thierry Guetta is one of the leading specialists in Paris. He became famous for the successful treatment of patients from Qatar and the United Arab Emirates. Dr. Guetta has many positive reviews from foreign patients. He performs surgeries at the American Hospital of Paris and at the Ambroise Pare clinic. His medical office is in the very heart of Paris. However, not everyone can afford to be treated by this eminent doctor - robotic prostatectomy costs 17,000 euros. That is why many foreign patients choose the Protestant clinic in Lyon. The clinic closely cooperates with the best European cancer center Leon Berar and constantly introduces innovative methods of treatment. Operation units in the Protestant clinic are equipped with special sensors that monitor the physical state of the surgeon; these sensors do not allow any manipulation in case of sickness or fatigue. Prostatectomy in the Protestant clinic is much cheaper than in Paris, however, the quality of the surgery is high as well.
