Last Updated on Thursday, 26 November 2009 16:49

Prostate Cancer - Living With It

Prostate cancer itself may not cause you too many problems, whereas the treatment of the disease itself may do.

Many men are diagnosed through screening tests and have no symptoms at all until they are subsequently treated. The most common problems resulting from treatment are impotence and incontinence.

However, a diagnosis of cancer is enough to frighten anybody, so you may well experience some psychological effects such as depression. In most men, impotence can now be treated very effectively with various therapies. It is very important to ask your specialist about the risk of impotence if you would like to maintain a physical relationship.

Your doctor can also refer you to an impotence adviser who can help you to find the most suitable treatment for you and your partner. Incontinence can be more difficult to manage and men often resort to wearing incontinence pads. However, there are other devices, and your doctor can refer you to an incontinence nurse, who will help you find the best solution to the problem. In extreme cases it is also possible to have a surgical operation to minimise incontinence.

Above all, there is no right or wrong way to deal with your diagnosis. If you feel like sharing your experiences with somebody, there are plenty of organisations and support groups that can provide extra information for you, your family and even your friends. If desired, they can also put you in touch with other men with the condition. It is very important to become informed about this disease before you select a treatment. By arming yourself with knowledge of the various pros and cons of each treatment, you can make an informed choice that is right for you.

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