A little anxiety waiting until my PSA reached the level where treatment was advised.
Yes
no harm in waiting until treatment is advised
you can still enjoy sex with others if your partner accepts your erection problems. There is some medication available eg. viagra, and also a penis pump can help an erection
inability to get an erection, and great difficulty achieving orgasm
Not sure
at the time it seemed the most secure treatment, as it could be followed by radiotherapy if necessary, whereas radiotherapy could not be followed by prostatectomy (I was told) The downside was the loss of erection and orgasm.
I am happy to have chosen prostatectomy, which was followed later by radiotherapy, because it seemed the most secure treatment. it may be that now, 14 years later, the treatments have progressed and prostatectomy would not have been chosen. Although I still have a little cancer (PSA of 16 -ish), it has not spread, and in the last 12 years I have needed no further treatment. Later, I may need treatment (hormone therapy ?), but my consultants have told me that I will probably not be killed by the cancer, but by old age etc.
there were no side-effects from the radiotherapy, although the 6 weeks of daily visits to the hospital were onerous, the outcome was well worth it
Yes
it has prolonged my life greatly
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.
