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Mark's Story

Ethnicity
White British
Work
Office
Sexual Orientation
Straight
Geography
South West
Relationship status
In a relationship
Listen

Radical Prostatectomy (Surgery)

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

Do your pelvic floor exercises - it got a lot better for me, though a year after the op there's occasional leakage. Nothing that affects my life really.

Tips and advice for any sexual side effects of treatment

This has been very difficult for me. I have an understanding partner, but I find needing to use a vacuum tube and rings for an erection awkward; I'm not confident it lasts long enough either. It's ... not great.

How this treatment impacted my life the most

The biggest effect has been on my sex life. Nothing good to say about that, though it's only a year after the op and I understand there's still a chance some sexual function may return.

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

Yes

Why did I give this answer?

Well I'd rather be alive than dead, and this still seems like the best option. I'm grateful that the cancer was found early and not bitter about what I've lost - that's life, literally!

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