Prostate Cancer & Androgen Deprivation Therapy in Grand Rapids, Michigan

Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers affecting men in Michigan, including here in Grand Rapids. Understanding your treatment options—especially hormone therapy (also called androgen deprivation therapy or ADT)—can help you make informed decisions with your care team at Spectrum Health, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health, Mercy Health, or other local clinics.

What Is Prostate Cancer?

The prostate is a small gland located just below the bladder. It surrounds the urethra (the tube that carries urine out of the body) and produces some of the fluid that makes up semen, which helps nourish and protect sperm.

Prostate cancer occurs when abnormal cells develop in the prostate and begin to grow in an uncontrolled way. These cancer cells can:

  • Stay within the prostate (localized prostate cancer)
  • Grow into nearby tissues or pelvic lymph nodes (locally advanced prostate cancer)
  • Spread to distant parts of the body such as other lymph nodes, organs, or bones (advanced or metastatic prostate cancer)

In Michigan, thousands of men are diagnosed with prostate cancer every year. Because West Michigan has an aging population and long winters that can limit physical activity, local men may have higher risks related to weight, heart health, and diabetes—all of which can impact prostate cancer outcomes.

If you’re in Grand Rapids, you can access screening and treatment through:

  • Spectrum Health (Corewell Health) Cancer Center
  • Trinity Health Grand Rapids
  • Metro Health – University of Michigan Health
  • Mercy Health physician groups
  • Kent County Health Department and Grand Rapids Public Health resources

What Is Hormone Therapy (Androgen Deprivation Therapy)?

Hormone therapy, also called androgen deprivation therapy (ADT), is a treatment that lowers or blocks male hormones (androgens), mainly testosterone. Testosterone is important for a healthy prostate, but it can also fuel the growth and spread of prostate cancer cells.

By reducing testosterone levels or blocking its effects, hormone therapy can:

  • Slow or stop the growth of prostate cancer
  • Shrink existing tumors
  • Help relieve symptoms, especially when cancer has spread

Hormone therapy is:

  • The standard first-line treatment for advanced or metastatic prostate cancer
  • Commonly used together with radiation therapy to treat localized and locally advanced prostate cancer

In many men, hormone therapy can control prostate cancer for several years.

Who Can Have Hormone Therapy in Grand Rapids?

Your Grand Rapids urologist or medical oncologist may recommend hormone therapy if:

  • You have prostate cancer that has spread outside the prostate gland or to other parts of the body (advanced or metastatic prostate cancer)
  • You are receiving radiation therapy for localized or locally advanced prostate cancer, and hormone therapy is used:
    • Before radiation (to shrink the prostate)
    • During radiation
    • After radiation (to reduce the risk of recurrence and improve chances of cure)

How well hormone therapy works varies from person to person. There are several different hormone therapy medications, so if one type is not effective or causes troublesome side effects, your doctor may switch you to another.

How Long Will I Be on Hormone Therapy?

The length of hormone therapy depends on:

  • The stage and aggressiveness of your cancer
  • Whether you are having radiation or other treatments (such as chemotherapy or newer anti-androgen medications)
  • Your overall health and treatment goals

You may be on hormone therapy for:

  • A few months
  • Several years
  • Indefinitely, especially if you have advanced or metastatic disease

Your Grand Rapids cancer team will discuss a personalized treatment plan with you.

How Is Hormone Therapy Given?

Hormone therapy can be given in several ways:

  • Injections (given under the skin or into a muscle)
  • Injectable implants (slowly release medication over time)
  • Oral tablets (pills you take by mouth)
  • Combination of injections and tablets

These treatments either:

  • Block the body’s production of testosterone, or
  • Block the effect of testosterone on prostate cancer cells

Most medical hormone therapies are reversible. After stopping treatment, testosterone levels may gradually return toward normal. How quickly and how fully they return depends on your age, the type of medication, and how long you were on therapy.

Surgical Removal of the Testicles (Orchidectomy)

Testosterone production can be permanently reduced by surgically removing the testicles, a procedure called an orchidectomy. This:

  • Stops about 95% of the body’s testosterone production
  • Is usually done as an inpatient or short-stay procedure
  • Rarely requires an overnight hospital stay

However, this surgery is not commonly recommended today because injections and implants are effective and less permanent. Many men also find the idea of losing their testicles emotionally and psychologically difficult.

Testicular Implants

If you do have an orchidectomy, it is possible to have soft implants placed in the scrotum so that it looks and feels more like it did before surgery. Talk with your urologist, nurse, or another member of your Grand Rapids healthcare team about this option.

Possible Side Effects of Hormone Therapy

All prostate cancer treatments, including hormone therapy, can cause side effects. These can vary depending on:

  • The specific hormone therapy medication
  • The dose and duration of treatment
  • Your age and general health
  • Whether you are receiving other treatments such as radiation or chemotherapy

Some men have few side effects; others may find them more challenging. After stopping hormone therapy, some side effects may improve over time, but others can be long-lasting.

Common Side Effects

Possible side effects of androgen deprivation therapy include:

  • Loss of libido (reduced sex drive)
  • Erectile dysfunction (trouble getting or maintaining an erection)
  • Hot flushes and night sweats
  • Fatigue (tiredness, low energy)
  • Weight gain, especially increased body fat
  • Loss of muscle mass and muscle weakness
  • Declining bone density (osteoporosis), leading to higher fracture risk
  • Mood changes, depression, or mood swings
  • Poor memory, reduced concentration, feeling “foggy”
  • Breast swelling (gynecomastia) and breast tenderness
  • Increased risk of cardiovascular disease and diabetes
  • Gastrointestinal issues (nausea, stomach upset, constipation, or diarrhea)
  • Headaches, itching, dry skin, or rashes

If you are troubled by side effects, contact your Grand Rapids primary care provider (GP), urologist, or oncologist. Early management can make a big difference.

Emotional and Mental Health: Coping With Prostate Cancer

Being diagnosed with prostate cancer and going through hormone therapy can be emotionally overwhelming. It is normal to experience:

  • Shock or disbelief
  • Sadness or grief
  • Anxiety or fear about the future
  • Anger or frustration
  • Irritability, feeling “on edge”
  • Trouble sleeping
  • Physical symptoms of stress, such as nausea or stomach upset

Some days will feel harder than others. It can help to:

  • Talk openly with a partner, family member, or close friend
  • Ask questions and get information from trusted local sources (your care team, Kent County Health Department, Grand Rapids Public Health)
  • Join a prostate cancer support group in West Michigan
  • Write down concerns and bring them to appointments

If you feel very distressed or notice signs of depression or anxiety, speak with your doctor, nurse navigator, or social worker. They can refer you to local mental health professionals experienced in cancer care.

Staying Active in a Grand Rapids Climate

Physical activity is one of the most effective ways to support your physical and emotional health during hormone therapy. Exercise can:

  • Help slow the progression of prostate cancer
  • Reduce treatment side effects (fatigue, weight gain, bone loss, mood changes)
  • Improve strength, balance, and bone density
  • Boost quality of life and reduce anxiety and depression

In Grand Rapids, cold winters and icy sidewalks can make outdoor exercise challenging, but options include:

  • Indoor walking at malls or large stores
  • Local gyms and community centers (e.g., YMCA of Greater Grand Rapids)
  • Home exercise programs with resistance bands or light weights
  • Indoor cycling, treadmill, or swimming at community pools

Best Types of Exercise

Aim to be physically active most days of the week. A balanced program includes:

  • Cardiorespiratory (aerobic) exercise

    • Brisk walking (indoors or outdoors when safe)
    • Jogging or cycling
    • Swimming or water aerobics
    • Using a treadmill, stationary bike, or elliptical

  • Resistance (strength) training

    • Lifting weights
    • Resistance bands
    • Bodyweight exercises (squats, wall push-ups)
    • Stair climbing
    • High-intensity resistance workouts, if approved by your doctor

For best results and safety—especially if you have heart disease, diabetes, bone thinning, or are new to exercise—consult an accredited exercise professional or physical therapist. Many Grand Rapids cancer centers have exercise or rehabilitation programs tailored for people with cancer.

Diet and Nutrition for Men on Hormone Therapy

A healthy, balanced diet can:

  • Improve strength, energy, and overall wellbeing
  • Help manage weight gain from hormone therapy
  • Support heart and bone health
  • Improve your body’s response to cancer treatment

General Nutrition Tips

  • Eat plenty of:

    • Fruits and vegetables (aim for a variety of colors)
    • Wholegrain foods (oats, whole wheat bread, brown rice, quinoa)
    • Lean proteins (fish, skinless poultry, beans, lentils, tofu)
    • Low-fat or reduced-fat dairy (milk, yogurt, cheese) or calcium-fortified alternatives

  • Limit or avoid:

    • Animal fats and processed meats (bacon, sausage, deli meats)
    • Processed meals, fast food, biscuits, cakes, and pies
    • Foods high in salt and added sugars
    • Sugary drinks

  • Other key habits:

    • Drink plenty of water, especially in heated indoor environments during Michigan winters
    • Limit alcohol intake
    • Stop smoking or vaping—local smoking cessation programs are available in Kent County

For personalized advice, ask your Grand Rapids oncologist or primary care provider for a referral to a registered dietitian who specializes in oncology or men’s health.

Heart, Bone, and Metabolic Health in Michigan Men

Because hormone therapy can increase the risk of:

  • Heart disease
  • Diabetes
  • High cholesterol
  • Osteoporosis (bone thinning)

it’s important to monitor and protect your long-term health—especially in a state like Michigan, where heart disease and metabolic conditions are common.

Your Grand Rapids care team may recommend:

  • Regular blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar checks
  • Bone density scans (DEXA scans)
  • Calcium and vitamin D supplementation
  • Weight-bearing and resistance exercises
  • Heart-healthy lifestyle changes (diet, exercise, not smoking)

Local Resources & Where to Get Help in Grand Rapids

If you are living with prostate cancer or considering androgen deprivation therapy in Grand Rapids, you can seek support from:

  • Your GP (primary care doctor)
  • Urologist (prostate and urinary tract specialist)
  • Medical oncologist (cancer specialist)
  • Radiation oncologist (if receiving radiation therapy)
  • Cancer nurse navigators and social workers at:
    • Spectrum Health (Corewell Health) Cancer Center
    • Trinity Health Grand Rapids
    • Metro Health – University of Michigan Health
    • Mercy Health–affiliated clinics

Additional support and information can be found through:

  • Kent County Health Department
  • Grand Rapids Public Health programs and community health workers
  • Local support groups for men with prostate cancer (ask your cancer center)
  • National organizations such as:
    • Prostate Cancer Foundation
    • American Cancer Society
    • Mental health organizations offering phone and online support for anxiety and depression

If you experience a mental health crisis or thoughts of self-harm, contact local emergency services or a 24/7 crisis line immediately.

Key Points About Androgen Deprivation Therapy in Grand Rapids

  • Testosterone and other androgens are important for a healthy prostate but can also drive prostate cancer growth.
  • Hormone therapy (ADT) lowers or blocks testosterone to slow or stop prostate cancer, especially in advanced or high-risk disease.
  • Surgical removal of the testicles (orchidectomy) is rarely used today because injections and implants are effective and less permanent, but it remains an option.
  • All prostate cancer treatments, including hormone therapy, have potential side effects. These may affect sexual function, mood, weight, bones, heart health, and daily energy.
  • Side effects vary between men. If you are also having radiation, chemotherapy, or newer anti-androgen medications, you may have additional side effects.
  • Self-care is essential. Physical activity, a heart-healthy diet, mental health support, and regular follow-up with your Grand Rapids healthcare team can help you manage treatment and maintain quality of life.

Always discuss your options, questions, and concerns with your local healthcare providers. They can help tailor a treatment plan that fits your medical needs, lifestyle, and personal preferences here in West Michigan.