What should you know about living with prostate cancer?

Your care depends on the cancer's grade and stage, prostate-specific tests, scan findings, symptoms, age, other health conditions, and personal priorities. Some people have active monitoring, while others need surgery, radiotherapy, hormone-based treatment, targeted radioisotope therapy, or combinations of care.

Urinary changes, erectile difficulties, bowel symptoms, hot flushes, tiredness, and worries about masculinity or relationships can be difficult to discuss. These concerns are common topics in cancer care and can often be addressed with medicines, rehabilitation, continence support, counselling, or sexual health advice.

Keep a record of urinary symptoms, bowel changes, pain, hot flushes, mood, and energy, and bring it to appointments. Ask before starting supplements or exercise changes, particularly if you have bone involvement or other medical conditions. Regular movement suited to your fitness can support strength, but your team should guide activity after treatment.

Discuss the possible effects of prostatectomy, robotic cancer surgery, brachytherapy, or radiotherapy on continence, erections, fertility, and bowel function before treatment. Bone-strengthening therapy may be considered in some situations. Practical help with work, relationships, and emotional health is part of a complete care plan.

Contact your team promptly for new difficulty passing urine, blood in the urine, severe back or bone pain, new leg weakness or numbness, loss of bowel control, fever, or rapidly worsening symptoms. Seek emergency help for inability to pass urine, sudden paralysis, or severe pain with weakness.

Ask how the cancer will be monitored, which symptoms could signal progression, how each treatment may affect continence and erections, whether bone support is appropriate, and what help is available for emotional or relationship concerns.