After Prostate Cancer

When a diagnosis of prostate cancer is made, the focus immediately changes to what happens next. Along with the need to try to come to terms with the diagnosis you need to think about the treatment you may have to have. This will vary depending on the stage the cancer is at and how advanced and fast growing the tumor is. Many instances of prostate cancer are very slow to develop, which increases the chances of living for a long time even after diagnosis.

If you have had treatment for prostate cancer and the cancer has been completely removed, you now have to get back to your normal life. But many people who have had cancer will say that nothing is ever quite the same. This is, after all, a life changing experience to go through, and as such you will probably feel differently about your life when compared to how you felt before.

It is quite normal to continue to have regular check ups after you have been successfully treated for cancer of the prostate. This is to make sure that the cancer does not come back, and if it does it can be treated quickly.

But in addition, there are other lasting effects of prostate cancer you may be affected by as well as this. As such it is a good idea to ask about any possible side effects or lasting effects of any treatment you might be offered. While the biggest importance is to be rid of the cancer, you should also know what possible side effects there may be to expect.

Changes in sexual performance may be noted in some cases. This is sometimes more likely if hormone treatment has been used to reduce the levels of testosterone in the body. Testosterone is like food to prostate cancer – the testosterone causes the cancer to grow because the cancer feeds on it. If you get rid of that source of hormones, the cancer can be stopped in its tracks.

But of course if those hormones are not present – or are present only in a very small amount – then you may notice some changes in your sexual performance. This may vary from man to man, and it should also be remembered that the very experience of going through the diagnosis of cancer and its subsequent treatment can make you lose your sex drive. Talk to your doctor if you are concerned about any of this.

Another common problem can be incontinence to some degree. If you have had your prostate removed this could occur, so ask your specialist what you should expect before you have this op, so that you know what might happen.

Some men find that some symptoms like this are only temporary, or are very mild in nature. For others they can last longer, so it always pays to find out what might happen after any operation or treatment you might have. Knowing the possible side effects in advance will help you to prepare for anything you might experience.

It may also help to find out what other patients have gone through. There are plenty of forums online that give patients a chance to discuss and help each other as they go through a similar experience. Remember though that there is no real substitute for proper medical advice, so always be sure you ask your specialist and doctor for any information you may want or need. This applies both now and in the future – there is never a wrong time to ask for answers. And simply knowing what to expect could make a lot of difference to how you feel about life after prostate cancer.

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