Henry's Story

Watch Henry answer the following questions about himself and his treatment:

Can you tell us your first name and briefly, tell us a little about yourself?
When were you diagnosed with prostate cancer and what was the diagnosis?
What stage was your cancer when you were diagnosed?
What treatment(s) did you have and when?
Did you have any side effects from this treatment?
How did this treatment affect your life the most?
Do you have any tips or advice that may help other people who are living with the same side effects from this treatment?
Do you have any tips or advice that might help others who are thinking about having the same treatment as you?
If you could go back in time, would you choose to have the same treatment?

Ethnicity

White British

Age

50-59

Sexual Orientation

Gay

Geography

East Anglia

Listen

Radical Prostatectomy (Surgery)

Hormone Therapy (injections)

Tips and advice for any sexual side effects of treatment

If you lose your libido, make sure your partner knows that it seems to be a side effect of the treatment.

Tips and advice for any physical side effects of treatment

Do whatever resistance exercise you can, to combat the loss of muscle and increase in fat. This will also work against the effects of androgen deprivation (ADT) therapy on cholesterol, risk of diabetes, and can give you some small sense of agency with regard controlling the side effects. Ask for liver function tests when on ADT.

How this treatment impacted my life the most

ADT really removes my "umph" - not only my libido (sexual "umph" - but my motivation to do much at all. This was particularly irritating when it came to exercise - I had intended to be consistent with thrice-weekly weights, but couldn't get around to it. I got runners knee, which I put down to loss of muscle, and I really missed running. I felt very bad about the cancer and its treatment causing a decline. This decline has gradually reversed since coming off the ADT (which was temporary, for some radiotherapy) but when you are experiencing it, you can't be sure it's going to be temporary.

If I had to do it all over again, would I choose the same treatment?

Not sure

Why did I give this answer?

I could deal with a specified brief time on ADT. I'd check for other options than Zoladex.

Radiotherapy to metastasis in lymph node in chest

How this treatment impacted my life the most

Radiotherapy to lymph node close to my oesophagus (20 treatments over 4 weeks) inflamed my oesophagus, causing swallowing difficulty and pain. Treated with peptobysmol and a mouthwash containing local anaesthetic and effervescent paracetamol. Started 2 weeks into RT and resolved 2 weeks after it finished. It was uncomfortable, and a reminder of my PC having spread, making it hard to minimise the seriousness of my condition.

If I had to do it all over again, would I choose the same treatment?

Not sure

Why did I give this answer?

Soon after the treatment to this lymph node, my PSA is going up again so I am due more scans. The chasing of each metastasis involves a lot of investigations and treatment. I would want to know of other options for the treatment of future metastases, in order to try and choose the least harmful, yet effective, option.

Henry's Story

Radical Prostatectomy (Surgery)

Radiotherapy

Hormone Therapy (tablets)

Hormone Therapy (injections)

Hormone Therapy (injections)

Tips and advice for any sexual side effects of treatment

Tips and advice for any physical side effects of treatment

How this treatment impacted my life the most

If I had to do it all over again, would I choose the same treatment?

Why did I give this answer?

Radiotherapy to metastasis in lymph node in chest

How this treatment impacted my life the most

If I had to do it all over again, would I choose the same treatment?

Why did I give this answer?

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