Urinary PSA test
If you have no symptoms, prostate cancer should have little or no effect on your everyday activities. You should be able to work, care for your family, carry on your usual social and leisure activities, and look after yourself. However, you may be understandably worried about your future. This may make you feel anxiousor depressed,and affect your sleep.
If your prostate cancer progresses, you may not feel well enough to do all the things you used to. After an operation or other treatment, such as radiotherapy or chemotherapy, you will probably feel tired and need time to recover.
If you have advanced prostate cancer that has spread to other parts of your body, you may have symptoms that slow you down and make it difficult to do things. You may have to reduce your working hours or stop working altogether.
Whatever stage your prostate cancer has reached, try to give yourself time to do the things you enjoy and spend time with those who care about you.
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If you have erectile dysfunction, speak to your GP. It may be possible to treat you with a type of medicine known as phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors (PDE5). PDE5s work by increasing the blood supply to your penis.
The most commonly used PDE5 is sildenafil (Viagra). Other PDE5s are available if sildenafil is not effective.
Another alternative is a device called a vacuum pump. It is a simple tube connected to a pump. You place your penis in the tube and then pump out all the air. This creates a vacuum, which causes the blood to rush to your penis. You then place a rubber ring around the base of your penis. This keeps the blood in place and allows you to maintain an erection for around 30 minutes.
If your urinary incontinenceis mild, you may be able to control it by learning some simple exercises. Pelvic floor exercises can strengthen your control over your bladder.
To carry out pelvic floor exercises:
If your urinary incontinence is more severe, it may be possible to treat it with surgery. This would involve implanting an artificial sphincter a sphincter is a muscle used to control the bladder.
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Beingdiagnosed with prostate cancer often brings families and friends closer, although it can put pressure on relationships too.
Most people want to help, though they may not know what to do. A few people find it hard to talk to someone with prostate cancer, and may try to avoid them. Being open and honest about how you feel and what your family and friends can do to helpmay put others at ease. But do not feel shy about telling people thatyou need some time to yourself, if that is what you need.
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If you have questions, your doctor or nurse may be able to reassure you, or you may find it helpful to talk to a trained counsellor, psychologist or specialist telephone helpline. Your GP surgery will have information on these.
Somemen find it helpful to talk to othermen with prostate cancer at a local support group or through an internet chat room.
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If you have to reduce or stop work because of your prostate cancer, you may find it hard to cope financially. If you have prostate cancer or are caring for someone with prostate cancer, you may be entitled to financial support.
Find out early what help is available to you. Speak to the social worker at your hospital, who can give you the information you need.
People being treated for cancer are entitled to apply for an exemption certificate, giving them free prescriptions for all medication, including medicine for unrelated conditions.
The certificate is valid for five years, and you can apply for it through your GP or cancer specialist.
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Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men in the UK, with over 40,000 new cases diagnosed every year.
Prostate cancer normally causes no symptoms until the cancer has grown large enough to put pressure on the urethra.
It is not known exactly what causes prostate cancer, although there are some things that can increase your risk of developing the condition.
If you have symptoms that could be caused by prostate cancer, you should visit your GP.
There is currently no screening programme for prostate cancer in the UK. This is because it is has not been proved that the benefits would outweigh the risks.
The treatment you receive for prostate cancer will depend on your individual circumstances.
Depending on the type of prostate cancer you have, your life may be affected in different ways.