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Selwyn's Story

Ethnicity
White British
Age
60-69
Work
Retired
Sexual Orientation
Straight
Geography
South East
Relationship status
Married/In a Civil Partnership
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Low Dose Rate Brachytherapy

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

The treatment irritated my bladder for several months making me want to pee frequently, particularly at night. I lost a lot of sleep. It was awful. The consultant did not have a solution.

Tips and advice for any physical side effects of treatment

I was only able to work part time for 3 months because I was so tired. Fortunately my employer was sympathetic and arranged someone to cover my work.

How this treatment impacted my life the most

Frequent peeing at night badly affected my sleep and I could only work about 50% for 3 months.

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

Yes

Why did I give this answer?

I was unlucky and the treatment failed. However, given the potential advantages of the treatment I would do it again.

Focal Therapy

How this treatment impacted my life the most

No significant impact.

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

Yes

Why did I give this answer?

There was a 50% chance of success. I would have the treatment again. Unfortunately the treatment failed.

Hormone Therapy (injections)

Tips and advice for any physical side effects of treatment

Currently I am prepared to tolerate the side effects because the treatment is prolonging my life. My consultant has offered to make the treatment intermittent, which would make me feel less tired, but there would be a relatively small risk to my life expectancy. Very recently the hormone therapy appears to be failing and so I am glad it has worked for 7 years and that I did not try intermittent treatment.

How this treatment impacted my life the most

Extreme tiredness at times, becoming worse the longer I have been on the treatment. Affects many aspects of my life, but I am grateful to be still alive having been diagnosed at an early stage in 2007 when I had no symptoms. The PSA test saved my life and has given me at least an extra 10 years.

Extreme fatigue getting worse the longer I have been on it.

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

Yes

Why did I give this answer?

No other treatment available to save my life.

Focal Therapy

How this treatment impacted my life the most

Not much impact.

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

Yes

Why did I give this answer?

No side effects.

Drug trial VAL 201

How this treatment impacted my life the most

The trial involved weekly trips to London for 5 months and in addition scans.

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

Yes

Why did I give this answer?

Possibility of curing my cancer with no side effects.

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