Eight ways to live well with prostate cancer

More men than ever are surviving the disease but dealing with it can be hard. HANNAH BRITT looks at what you can do to improve your quality of life

IT IS the most common cancer in men and it is estimated that one in eight males will develop prostate cancer at some point in their life. Celebrities such as Stephen Fry and Bill Turnbull, who have talked about their experiences, have been praised for raising awareness of the disease and the importance of taking action, as it strikes 47,000 men in the UK every year.

But although survival rates have increased since the 1970s, living with prostate cancer isn’t always easy.

Treatment options vary but surgery, radiotherapy and hormone therapy can lead to longer-term side effects such as urinary problems, weight gain and erectile dysfunction.

Fortunately there are lots of things you can do to improve your quality of life.

EAT A HEALTHY DIET

Some men put on weight, particularly around the middle, while they are on hormone therapy so eating a healthy diet can help. Losing excess pounds may also reduce the chances of the disease recurring.

Carrying too much weight may also make hormone therapy less effective and exacerbate post-surgery side effects such as urinary problems.

Losing weight before treatment also greatly improves the chances of success.

TAKE UP SWIMMING

There is strong evidence that being active is one of the best ways to reduce the fatigue that can strike during any cancer treatment.

Experts say that regular gentle exercise such as swimming or walking can not only increase your energy levels but also