Living with prostate cancer

DEPENDING on the type of prostate cancer you have, your life may be affected in different ways.

Prostate cancer often gets worse slowly, and you may have it for years without symptoms. During this time, you may not need treatment. If your cancer is more likely to spread, you may decide to have surgery or radiotherapy that aims to cure the cancer.

However, these treatments can have side effects.

Impact on everyday activities

If you have no symptoms, prostate cancer should have little or no effect on your everyday activities. You should be able to work, care for your family, carry on your usual social and leisure activities, and look after yourself.

However, you may be understandably worried about your future. This may make you feel anxious or depressed and affect your sleep.

If your prostate cancer progresses, you may not feel well enough to do all the things you used to. After an operation or other treatment, such as radiotherapy or chemotherapy, you will probably feel tired and need time to recover. If you have advanced prostate cancer that has spread to other parts of your body, you may have symptoms that slow you down and make it difficult to do things. You may have to reduce your working hours or stop working altogether.

Whatever stage your prostate cancer has reached, try to give yourself time to do the things you enjoy and spend time with those who care about you.

Complications of prostate cancer

Erection problems

If you have erectile dysfunction (impotence), speak to a general practitioner. Urinary incontinence

If you have mild urinary incontinence, you may be able to control it by learning some simple exercises. Pelvic floor exercises can strengthen your control over your bladder. To carry out pelvic floor exercises:

Sit or lie comfortably, with your knees slightly apart.

Squeeze or lift at the front as if you were trying to stop the passage of urine, then squeeze or lift at the back as if you were trying to stop the passage of wind.

Hold this contraction for as long as you can (at least two seconds, increasing up to 10 as you improve).

Relax for the same amount of time before repeating.

If your urinary incontinence is more severe, it may be possible to treat it with surgery.

Relationships

Being diagnosed with prostate cancer often brings families and friends closer, although it can put pressure on relationships, too.

Most people want to help, although they may not know what to do. Some people find it hard to talk about cancer and may try to avoid it.

Being open and honest about how you feel and what your family and friends can do to help may put others at ease.

But do not feel shy about telling people you want some time to yourself, if that is what you need.

Talking to others

If you have questions, your doctor or nurse may be able to reassure you, or you may find it helpful to talk to a trained counsellor, psychologist or specialist telephone helpline. Your general practitioner surgery will have information on these.

You may find it helpful to talk to others with prostate cancer, either at a local support group or online.

Money and financial support

If you have to reduce or stop work because of your prostate cancer, you may find it hard to cope financially.

Find out early what help is available to you. Speak to the social worker at your hospital, who can give you the information you need.