Skip to main content
Site logo linking the user to the homepage Site logo linking the user to the homepage

John's Story

Ethnicity
White British
Age
70-79
Work
Retired
Sexual Orientation
Straight
Geography
West Midlands
Relationship status
In a relationship
Listen

Radiotherapy

Tips and advice for any bladder or bowel side effects of treatment

If you’re told that you might suffer incontinence and you have the reverse - ie difficulty in passing urine, go back to your consultant quickly as it might be scar tissue blocking the urethra/bladder join which needs expanding. If you don’t it could lead to kidney problems.

Tips and advice for any sexual side effects of treatment

Owing to my age it didn’t really bother me too much. Don’t let it define your whole life.

How this treatment impacted my life the most

Physical effects were quite serious and also the required follow-up (rigid cystoscopy). But I did get over these and have returned to a pretty normal life (excluding sex) and am grateful for the recovery, and more years of life it gave me, which makes me appreciate life perhaps more than I did before.

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

Yes

Why did I give this answer?

I trusted the consultant’s advice and things worked out generally as I was told they would. I opted for a more interventionist approach (surgery) than playing safe with a less radical procedure and am happy that I did all I could to confront the problem when it occurred. I won’t have regrets that I should have been braver.

Share your story with others

By sharing your experience of prostate cancer on the infopool you can help others. Your experience is valuable as they go through their own journey. Help make the prostate cancer community stronger.

Share story

Prostate Cancer Research logo
  • Privacy
  • Terms
  • Policies
  • Contact us
  • About infopool
  • Accessibility statement
  • Info for HCPs

Prostate Cancer Research 

Suite 2, 23-24 Great James Street, 

London WC1 3ES

Facebook Instagram Twitter LinkedIn Youtube

Copyright 2025, All rights reserved. Registered Charity No: 1156027 

Site design by IE Digital

Main navigation
  • Home
  • Testing and Diagnosis
    • Prostate and you
    • Explore Diagnostics
    • Testing and diagnosis tool
    • Grading and Staging
    • Find services near me
    • Prostate Biopsy
    • Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA)
  • Treatment and Care
    • Cancer Waiting Time Standards
    • Explore Treatments
    • Understand treatment choices
    • Prostate cancer treatment information webinars
    • Shared Decision Making
    • Palliative (supportive) care
    • End-of-life care
    • Mastering healthcare conversations
  • Stories
    • Share your story
    • Patient stories
    • Partners & carers
    • Living with side effects
  • Side Effects
    • Getting support for long-term effects of hormone therapy
    • Living with side effects
    • Emotional and Psychological Support
    • Getting support for peeing problems
    • Managing hot sweats and fatigue with hormone therapy
    • Getting support for sexual problems
    • Late effects of radiotherapy treatment
  • Partners and Carers
    • Partners and Carers
  • Research and Trials
    • Find clinical trials near me
    • Join Prostate Progress
Donate
User account menu
  • Log in
Powered by Prostate Cancer Research Prostate Cancer Research Logo