Living With and After Prostate Cancer

Living with and
after prostate cancer

A guide to physical, emotional
and practical issues
2 Living with and after prostate cancer
About this booklet

This booklet is for men living with prostate cancer – before,
during and after treatment. It’s also for men who are having
their prostate cancer monitored, rather than having treatment.
Partners, family and friends might also find it useful.
There’s information about the physical and emotional effects

of prostate cancer and its treatment, and we look at ways to
manage these. We also discuss practical issues such as work
and money.
This booklet is designed as a general guide and everyone’s

experience of living with prostate cancer will be different.
You might want to dip into this booklet for the information that
is relevant to you. If you’d like more detailed information you
can speak to your doctor or nurse. We’ve also listed other
sources of support and information at the end of this booklet.
The following symbols appear throughout the booklet to guide

you to sources of further information:
Prostate Cancer UK Specialist Nurse helpline
Prostate Cancer UK publications
See men tell their own stories in our online videos:

prostatecanceruk.org/personalstories
If you would like to know more about anything you read

in this booklet, you can call our Specialist Nurses on our
confidential helpline on 0800 074 8383.
Helpline 0800 074 8383 prostatecanceruk.org 3
Contents
About this booklet 2
Living with and after prostate cancer 5
Physical effects of prostate cancer 9
Fatigue (extreme tiredness) 10
Urinary problems 13
Bowel problems 16
Sexual problems 17
Side effects of hormone therapy 20
Pain 21
Risk of other health problems 22
Metastatic spinal cord compression (MSCC) 23
Diet and physical activity 25
Complementary therapies 31
Prostate cancer and your feelings 35
Relationships and family life 43
Support for partners, family and friends 47
Daily life and prostate cancer 51
Work 51
Money 54
Driving and public transport 56
In the home 57
More information from us 58
Other useful organisations 59
About Prostate Cancer UK 65
Living with and after

prostate cancer
Living with prostate cancer can have a physical, emotional and
practical impact on your life and the lives of those close to you.
Even if you have stopped treatment you might still have side
effects, and worry about the cancer coming back. Some men find
it hard to move on.
Support from health professionals

Health professionals can support you before, during and after
prostate cancer treatment. You’ll have regular appointments and you
should be given details of who to contact in between your check-ups.
How often you see them will depend on the stage and grade of your
prostate cancer, what treatment you are having or have had in the
past, how you respond to treatment and any side effects you have.
Let your doctor or nurse know if you notice any symptoms or

changes in how you feel. If these are signs of cancer coming back,
they can talk to you about treatment options. Symptoms and
changes could also be side effects of treatment (see pages 9 to 23),
or caused by other health problems. It’s a good idea to get them
checked out as there may be ways to manage them.
Don’t worry about asking for help. If there’s anything bothering you,
tell your doctor or nurse. You might want to write down questions
or concerns before your appointment and take notes during
it. Some men find it helpful to have someone with them at the
appointment. It’s hard to take everything in, ask questions
and make notes all at the same time.
Read about getting care and support after treatment in our

booklet, Follow-up after prostate cancer treatment: What
happens next?
Use the form below to keep a record of who to contact if you

notice particular symptoms or changes in how you feel. You can
ask your doctor or nurse to fill it in for you, or use the form to
remind you what to ask them about.
Problem or concern Who to contact

How can I help myself?

There’s a lot you can do to actively look after your own health and
wellbeing – sometimes called ‘self-management’. For example,
watching what you eat and exercising. There are tips on self-
management throughout this booklet.
Self-management doesn’t mean you should try to manage

everything yourself. It’s important to notice any changes in how
you feel and to speak to your doctor or nurse about them.
You might want to get advice from a health professional and learn
some extra skills to make it easier to manage things yourself. For
example, you and your partner or family could go on a course or a
training day about living with and after cancer.
• Macmillan Cancer Support, the Expert Patients Programme,
Maggie’s Centres and Penny Brohn Cancer Care all run free
courses for people living with cancer or long-term health problems.
• Ask your specialist nurse or local support group if they run
training days or if they invite health professionals to give talks.
• Look out for these kinds of courses at your GP surgery, local
hospital, library, adult learning centre or local community or
sports centres.
Before my appointments I find it useful to

write down any questions to ask the doctor.
A personal experience
8 Title of publication
Physical effects of prostate cancer

This section is about how prostate cancer and its treatment
can affect your body and physical health. Lots of treatments for
prostate cancer cause short-term or long-term side effects. These
can often be managed or treated. If you notice any changes, or
have any concerns, speak to your doctor or nurse to make sure
you get the help you need.
These are the main treatment options for prostate cancer.

• Monitoring – active surveillance and watchful waiting are
both ways of monitoring prostate cancer and avoiding
immediate treatment.
• Radical prostatectomy is surgery to remove your prostate
gland and the cancer contained within it.
• External beam radiotherapy is where X-ray beams are directed
at the prostate from outside the body to destroy the cancer cells.
• Brachytherapy is a type of internal radiotherapy.
• Hormone therapy controls prostate cancer by stopping
testosterone reaching the prostate cancer cells.
• High intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) uses ultrasound
waves to heat and destroy the cancer cells in your prostate.
• Cryotherapy uses freezing and thawing to destroy the prostate
cancer cells.
If you have prostate cancer that’s spread to other parts of the body
(advanced prostate cancer) you can read more about managing
symptoms in our booklet, Advanced prostate cancer: Managing
symptoms and getting support.
Fatigue (extreme tiredness)

Fatigue is a range of feelings from tiredness to exhaustion, which
makes it hard to carry out your daily activities. Men describe feeling
weak, lethargic, knackered or drained. It can affect your energy
levels, motivation, ability to concentrate, emotions and sex drive.
Many men find it difficult to cope with fatigue – and it’s not always
relieved by rest alone.
Fatigue could be caused by any prostate cancer treatment. It

might improve after your treatment has finished but some men find
it lasts longer. Hormone therapy in particular can cause extreme
tiredness. And men who have advanced prostate cancer are also
more likely to have fatigue.
It’s hard to say how tired you’ll feel during and after treatment.
Some men don’t feel tired at all. Other men get so tired it affects
their everyday life.
Let your doctor or nurse know how you feel and if you’re getting very
tired. They can check what’s causing it and look for ways to help.
It could be your treatment that’s causing the fatigue, but there can
also be other causes such as the cancer itself or other conditions.
We have a telephone support service called Get back on track

that can help with managing fatigue. Find out more on our
website at prostatecanceruk.org or speak to our Specialist
Nurses on our confidential helpline. Macmillan Cancer Support
produce a booklet called Coping with fatigue.
What can help?

Organising your day
It sounds simple, but looking at all the things you do each day
could help you manage your fatigue. If you’ve got a limited
supply of energy, it makes sense to keep some back for the most
important things in life.
For example, make a list of everything you do and see what’s

most important to you. Then try to save energy for these things by
holding back on other activities, and planning time for proper rest.
Your GP, nurse or hospital doctor might be able to refer you to an
occupational therapist who can help with this.
Lots of men continue to work while they have treatment, but if

tiredness becomes a problem you may need to take some time off
work. See page 51 for more about this.
Physical activity and diet

As well as having time to rest, doing some light exercise can help.
Research has shown that gentle physical activity such as walking
or swimming can help reduce tiredness. Speak to your doctor
before you make any changes to how you exercise.
If you have a good appetite and you are eating well, following a
healthy and balanced diet should be enough for you to get all the
energy you need. If you are struggling to eat enough and you’ve
lost weight, this could add to your tiredness.
There’s more about how diet and physical activity can help on
pages 25 to 29.
One great tip was to take a short rest

each day when I got back home after
having my radiotherapy treatment.
Sorting out your sleep

Sleep problems can make you feel tired during the day or make
any tiredness you already have worse. Lots of things can help
with sleep problems, including relaxation techniques and dealing
with any worries that are keeping you awake. Your GP can give
you advice on what could help you sleep and they will sometimes
prescribe a short course of sleeping pills.
If your sleep is being disturbed by getting up for the toilet a lot

at night, find out what can help in our Tool Kit fact sheet,
Urinary problems after prostate cancer treatment.
Dealing with depression or anxiety

Tiredness can sometimes be related to feeling depressed or
anxious. Feeling down can make you feel less energetic, and
worrying all the time can wear you out and affect your sleep. If
you’re having any of these feelings, talking to someone or getting
some support can help. There’s more about this on page 37.
I found exercise is the best thing to combat

tiredness. And it also motivates you and
keeps your spirits up and stress levels down.
What else can help?

• Get help for other symptoms, such as pain, which can make
tiredness worse.
• Ask your doctor or nurse to check if any medicines or
combination of medicines you’re taking are making you tired.
• Get help for any other health problems. For example, if you have
a heart problem as well as prostate cancer this could make you
more tired.
Urinary problems
After some treatments for prostate cancer you may have problems
peeing – for example, leaking urine (incontinence) or problems
emptying your bladder (urine retention). Surgery, external beam
radiotherapy, brachytherapy, cryotherapy and HIFU, can all cause
these kinds of problems.
Some men find that urinary problems last for a few weeks or
months after treatment. Other men have urinary problems for a
number of years.
What can help?

Speak to your GP, doctor or nurse about any problems, even
if you are no longer having treatment for prostate cancer. They
might refer you to an NHS continence service, run by nurses and
physiotherapists who specialise in urinary problems. You can also
find out about continence services in your area by contacting the
Bladder and Bowel Foundation.
There are lots of things that can help with urinary problems.
Depending on the issues you’re having, ways to manage them can
include pelvic floor muscle exercises, bladder retraining, medicines
or surgery.
If you suddenly find you can’t pee (acute urinary retention) you’ll
need treatment straight away, for example at your local accident
and emergency (A&E) department. The doctor may need to drain
your bladder using a catheter. A catheter is a thin tube inserted
through your penis, or through your abdomen, into your bladder.
Acute retention can be very painful and needs urgent treatment.
Read more about managing urinary problems in our Tool Kit fact
sheet Urinary problems after prostate cancer treatment.
How can I manage urinary problems myself?

Any issue with peeing can feel embarrassing, but although
you’re very aware of it, other people probably won’t notice.
A few practical steps, such as carrying around absorbent pads

or underwear and finding out where public toilets are, may help
you feel more in control of the situation. Get an ‘urgent’ card
to show staff in shops, restaurants and other public places.
They should let you use their toilets without asking awkward
questions. You can order a card on our website or by calling one
of our Specialist Nurses on our helpline.
Making some changes to your lifestyle might help you manage

your urinary problems.
• Try to stay a healthy weight – and lose weight if you are
overweight.
• Keep as fit as possible.
• If you smoke, try to stop. Smoking can cause coughing, which
can cause you to leak urine (if that’s already a problem for you).
• Constipation puts pressure on the muscles that control
urination so try to avoid it by drinking plenty and eating a
healthy diet that’s high in fibre.
• Drink plenty (two litres or three to four pints a day), but cut
down on fizzy drinks, alcohol and drinks high in caffeine (tea,
coffee and cola), as these may irritate the bladder.
• If you leak urine, doing pelvic floor muscle exercises might help.
For more about managing urinary problems read our Tool Kit fact
sheets, Urinary problems after prostate cancer treatment
and Pelvic floor muscle exercises. Read more about diet and
prostate cancer in our Tool Kit fact sheet, Diet, physical activity
and prostate cancer.
Watch Paul’s story

Find out how he dealt with leaking urine after surgery.
Bowel problems
Radiotherapy for prostate cancer (external beam radiotherapy and
brachytherapy) can cause bowel problems for some men. Radiation
can cause the lining of the bowel to become inflamed (proctitis)
which then leads to symptoms such as loose and watery stools
(diarrhoea), and pain in the stomach area (abdomen) or back
passage. More rarely, it can cause bleeding from the back passage.
Some men find that changes to their bowel habits last for a short
time. For others, the changes are permanent. Some men develop
bowel problems months or years after treatment.
What can help?

Let your GP, doctor or nurse know about any changes in your
bowel habits. They can give advice and support to help manage
them. There are also medicines available to help with symptoms
and control diarrhoea.
Your local continence service can assess your bowel problems and
offer advice about treatments. They can also give you support and
advice on products that can help you deal with these problems.
Ask your GP to refer you.
If you have long-term bowel problems, you could ask to be referred

to a bowel specialist (gastroenterologist). You might have a further
test to check for any damage to the bowel.
Macmillan Cancer Support and the Bladder and Bowel Foundation

produce detailed information about coping with bowel problems.
How can I manage bowel problems myself?

Living with bowel problems can be distressing, and for a lot
of men it’s not an easy thing to talk about. But remember that
doctors and nurses often help men with these issues. They’re
used to discussing the problem and finding ways to deal with it.
You may find it helpful to plan ahead and find out where toilets
are before you go out, and carry absorbent pads.
If you are having problems with diarrhoea, cutting down on

fibre in your diet for a short time may help. Low fibre foods
include white rice, pasta and bread, potatoes (without the skins),
cornmeal, eggs and lean white meat. Drink plenty, but avoid
alcohol, coffee and fizzy drinks.
Read more in our Tool Kit fact sheet, Diet, physical activity
and prostate cancer.
Sexual problems
Prostate cancer and its treatment can have a number of symptoms
and side effects that can affect your sex life. Many men with prostate
cancer say that changes to their sex lives and relationships are
some of the biggest challenges they have to deal with.
Having treatment for prostate cancer can affect:

• how you feel about yourself sexually
• your desire to have sex (libido)
• your ability to get an erection (erectile function)
• your ability to ejaculate and have an orgasm
• your sexual satisfaction
• your fertility
• the appearance of your body

• your mood
• your relationships.
But there are treatments and support that can provide some
answers and ways for you to work through any problems.
There is no right or wrong time to consider getting help and

treatment if you want to. Sexual problems can have an impact on
your life if you are in a relationship or if you are single. You could be
single and want an erection for masturbation or you might want to
start a new relationship in the future.
Some common questions answered

• It is not possible to pass on cancer through sex.
• Having sex will not affect your prostate cancer or the success
of your treatment
• Erections are still safe if you have a catheter in.
What can help?

You can get treatment and support for sexual problems. Speak to
your GP, nurse or hospital doctor to find out more. They can offer
you treatment or refer you to a specialist service such as an erectile
dysfunction (ED) clinic.
You can get free medical treatment for problems with erections or
other sexual problems on the NHS.
Even though your sex life might not be the same as it was before
cancer, you don’t have to give up on having pleasure, closeness
or fun together. It’s often helpful to explore other ways of having an
intimate relationship, without having penetrative sex. Some men

find they become closer to their partner even though they have
some sexual problems.
Try to talk through the issues with your partner. Relationship

counselling or sex therapy could also help. The Sexual Advice
Association, Relate and the College of Sexual and Relationship
Therapists can you give you more information on this.
If you or your partner feel depressed or anxious, getting help for

this could improve your mood and may in turn help your sex life.
See pages 43 to 45 for more information about relationship issues.
Read more about sexual problems in our booklet Prostate cancer

and your sex life. It comes with a DVD of six men talking about
their own experiences. The information and films are also available
on our website.
How can I manage sexual problems myself?

Making some changes to your lifestyle might help you manage
some of your sexual problems.
• Maintaining a healthy weight and being physically active might
help with erection problems.
• Stop smoking because it can increase the risk of erection
problems and make treatments for these less effective.
• Try not to put too much pressure on yourself – it can take time
to come to terms with being diagnosed with prostate cancer
and the side effects of treatment.
Fertility
Prostate cancer treatment can affect your sperm and ejaculation,
so you may not be able to have children naturally after treatment.
But you might be able to store some sperm before treatment so

that they can be used later to fertilise an egg. There is no age limit
to storing your sperm for your own use. Sperm banking is usually
available on the NHS, but not always. You may need to pay for
sperm storage or infertility treatment. Ask your doctor or nurse
about what’s available locally.
Side effects of hormone therapy

Hormone therapy for prostate cancer can cause a number of
physical and emotional side effects. These side effects can be
difficult to adjust to. They might include:
• hot flushes
• changes to your sex life
• extreme tiredness (fatigue)
• weight gain
• strength and muscle loss
• breast swelling and tenderness (gynaecomastia)
• loss of body hair
• bone thinning
• risk of heart disease and diabetes
• changes to your memory and concentration.
Read more, including ways to help manage or reduce them, in our

booklet, Living with hormone therapy: A guide for men with
prostate cancer.
Watch Bruce’s story

See how hormone therapy affected him.
Pain
If you have cancer that has not spread outside the prostate gland
(localised prostate cancer) you are unlikely to have pain from
your cancer, although you might do after treatment. After surgery
(radical prostatectomy) some men have pain in the weeks they
are recovering, but pain-relieving drugs such as paracetamol or
codeine can help.
If you have prostate cancer that has spread outside of the prostate
gland (advanced prostate cancer) you might have some pain that
needs controlling. This is normally if the cancer has spread to the
bones. If prostate cancer grows in the bones, it weakens them and
can cause pain.
What can help?

With the right treatment, pain can usually be relieved or reduced. If
you do have any pain, speak to your doctor or nurse. The earlier it
is treated, the easier it will be to control it.
Treatments to control pain include:

• treatment for the cancer itself, such as hormone therapy
or chemotherapy
• treatment for the pain, such as pain-relieving drugs, radiotherapy
or drugs called bisphosphonates which treat bone pain
• complementary therapies.
Read more about ways to control pain in our Tool Kit fact sheet,
Managing pain in advanced prostate cancer. You can read
more about managing the symptoms of advanced cancer in our
booklet, Advanced prostate cancer: Managing symptoms and
getting support.
Risk of other health problems

Prostate cancer and its treatment can increase the risk of other
health problems in some men. There are things you can do to help
reduce these risks.
Bone thinning
Long-term treatment with hormone therapy can make your bones
weaker. This can happen, for example, with luteinizing hormone-
releasing (LHRH) agonists, gonadotropin-releasing hormone
(GnRH) antagonists or surgery to remove the testicles.
If the bones are very weakened, this can lead to a condition called
osteoporosis, which can increase your risk of bone fractures.
What can help?

Make sure you have enough vitamin D and calcium in your diet –
this can help reduce the risk of osteoporosis. Your doctor or nurse
may discuss taking vitamin D and calcium supplements to help
with your bone health.
Read more in our booklet, Living with hormone therapy: A guide

for men with prostate cancer.
Risk of heart disease and diabetes

Some studies have found that men on hormone therapy have an
increased risk of heart disease and diabetes.
What can help?

You can help reduce your risk of heart disease and diabetes by
having a healthy diet and lifestyle. See pages 25 to 29 for more
about diet and exercise.
Read more in our booklet, Living with hormone therapy: A guide

for men with prostate cancer.
Metastatic spinal cord compression (MSCC)

Prostate cancer can spread to the bones of the spine (vertebrae).
This can lead to a condition called metastatic spinal cord
compression (MSCC). This happens when the cancer presses on
the spinal cord. MSCC is not common and we don’t know how
many men with prostate cancer develop it. But if it does happen,
you need to get treatment as soon as possible as it is a serious
condition. Speak to your doctor or nurse for more information
about your risk.
Find out about the symptoms in our fact sheet, Metastatic spinal
cord compression (MSCC).
Diet and physical activity

By eating healthily and being physically active you can take more
control of your health and do something to improve it. This can also
help you manage the effects of prostate cancer and its treatment.
Diet
A healthy diet will benefit your general health and reduce your risk of
medical problems such as heart disease, diabetes and other cancers.
There is also some evidence that certain foods may slow down
the growth of prostate cancer or reduce the risk of it returning after
treatment. Other foods might make your prostate cancer worse. At
the moment this evidence is limited and we need more research to
show clearly how different foods can help.
Read more about diet and prostate cancer in our Tool Kit fact
sheet, Diet, physical activity and prostate cancer.
How can I improve my diet?

Start by making small changes that you feel comfortable with,
such as eating more fruit and vegetables. Set yourself realistic
goals, make changes gradually and make sure you still enjoy your
food. Most people can get all the nutrients they need by eating a
balanced diet rather than taking food supplements.
For a healthy diet

• Eat at least five portions of fruit and vegetables each day.
• About a third of your diet should be starchy foods like
potatoes, bread, rice, pasta, plantain, sweet potato and yam.
Try wholegrain options such as wholemeal bread, whole wheat
pasta, brown rice and wholegrain breakfast cereals. These are

high in fibre and also help you to feel full for longer.
• Include some protein, like fish, lean white meat, eggs and pulses.
• Include some dairy foods and foods which contain calcium
such as semi-skimmed milk, soy milk or yoghurts.
• Eat less saturated fat. There are different types of
fat. Unsaturated fats (known as monounsaturated and
polyunsaturated fats) are healthier, and are found in nuts, oily
fish, vegetable oil and olive oil. Saturated fats are less healthy
and are found in meat and meat products, dairy products such
as butter and cheese, and processed foods such as cakes,
biscuits and pastries. Try to replace saturated fats with foods
that are rich in monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats.
• Cut down on sugar, including sugar hidden in soft drinks and
processed foods such as cakes and biscuits.
• Cut down on salt. Eat less than one rounded teaspoon each day
and look out for hidden salt in processed foods. Try using pepper,
herbs and spices instead of salt to add flavour when cooking.
• Drink six to eight glasses (1.2 litres) of water or low sugar
drinks each day. This does not include coffee, alcohol or sugary
and fizzy drinks.
If you’re having difficulty eating enough and you’re losing weight ask
your GP to refer you to a dietitian who can give you further advice.
A dietitian can also help if you are making big changes to your diet,
or if you have any other medical conditions that could be affected
by your diet, such as diabetes.
Physical activity
Physical activity is important for general health. It can help you to
keep a healthy weight by burning up spare energy which would
otherwise be stored by the body as fat. It’s not clear whether
exercise can help slow down the growth of prostate cancer, but it
can help with some of the side effects of treatment (see pages 9 to
23). It can also help you cope with feelings of anxiety or depression.
What sort of physical activity should I do?

Physical activity doesn’t just mean sports. If you find something you
like, and that fits into your life, you might be more likely to stick with it.
• Walking, swimming, cycling or gardening are all good exercise.
• Get off the bus one stop earlier, or walk upstairs rather than using
the lift.
• You can even exercise from your chair or bed. Try lifting and
stretching your arms and legs, which can help improve your
movement and muscle strength.
• If you are trying to lose weight, following an exercise programme
such as walking 10,000 steps a day can be useful. This gives
an indication of the amount of exercise you should aim to build
up to. You can get more information about walking 10,000
steps a day from the NHS Choices website. Maggie’s Centres
offer exercise programmes across the UK. The Active Scotland
website can help you find activities if you live in Scotland.
• Gentle resistance exercise such as fast walking, swimming
and using light weights are particularly good, especially if you
are on hormone therapy and so are at risk of bone thinning
(osteoporosis). If you are on hormone therapy or have cancer
which has spread to the bones, check with your doctor before
doing high-impact exercises such as running and contact sports.
How much physical activity should I do?

This will depend on the stage of your cancer and what treatment
you are having, as well as your fitness levels. But even if you don’t
feel able to do a lot of physical activity, a small amount can be
beneficial. The following tips might help.
• Find activities that you enjoy.
• Take things at your own pace and don’t overdo it.
• Rest when you feel you need to.
• Try exercising with a friend or family member as you’re more
likely to keep doing it.
It’s safe for men with prostate cancer and those having treatment
to be physically active. It might be a good idea to speak to your
GP, nurse or hospital doctor before you start any kind of exercise
plan and get advice about exercising safely.
Aim to be physically active at least two to three times a week.

Start gently for short periods of time, such as 15 minutes, and
gradually increase the amount you do as you become fitter. If you
can, build up to include 30 minutes of moderate exercise three to
five days a week.
‘Moderate exercise’ means your heart should beat faster but you
should still be able to talk – about the level of a brisk walk.
You can get help with increasing your physical activity. Speak to
your doctor or nurse for advice about suitable exercise for you.
You could also ask to be referred to an exercise programme or a
physiotherapist for further advice.
Exercise safely
• Be careful to avoid falls, especially if you’re on hormone therapy
or if your cancer has spread to the bones – both can raise the
risk of fractures.
• Wear properly fitting clothing and trainers, and don’t exercise on
uneven surfaces.
• Make sure you drink enough water.
• Don’t exercise if you feel unwell, have any pain, sickness or any
other unusual symptoms. Stop if you experience any of these
while exercising.
• If you are having radiotherapy and have any skin irritation, avoid
swimming pools as the chlorine can make this worse.
Although I’d always been active, my outlook

on life changed with my cancer diagnosis.
I joined my local walking club. Not only has
this taken me on some wonderful walks in the
hills and introduced me to some lovely parts
of the country that I didn’t know existed, it’s
helped me to keep fit and I’ve made loads
of new friends. The walks are graded and I
worked my way up the grades as I got fitter.
Complementary therapies
Complementary therapies include a huge variety of approaches,
from diets to massage, from hypnotherapy to yoga. Some people
find that complementary therapies help them with their symptoms,
or with the emotional and day-to-day impact of their cancer,
helping them feel more in control.
Complementary therapies for cancer

There is some research to show that complementary therapies
could help people with cancer manage tiredness. These include:
• acupuncture
• breathing control
• muscle relaxation
• massage
• yoga
• meditation.
There’s also some research to suggest that complementary

therapies could help with cancer pain. They might also help with
hot flushes if you are having hormone therapy.
But we need more research into complementary therapies.

How to use complementary therapies

Complementary therapies are used alongside conventional
treatments, rather than instead of them. Some complementary
therapies have side effects and some may interfere with your
cancer treatment. So make sure your doctor or nurse knows about
any complementary therapies you’re using or thinking of trying.
And make sure that any complementary therapist you see knows
about your cancer and treatments.
Some complementary therapies are available through hospices, GPs

and hospitals, as part of the overall care they provide. But if you
want to find a therapist yourself, make sure they are properly qualified
and belong to a professional body. The Complementary and
Natural Healthcare Council have advice about finding a therapist.
Some men have found that herbal remedies can help with side
effects. Herbal remedies use plants or plant extracts.
Not all herbal remedies in the UK are licensed, and the quality
varies greatly. Be particularly careful about buying herbal remedies
over the internet. Often they are manufactured outside the UK and
may not be regulated. Many companies make claims that are not
based on proper research, and there may be no real evidence they
work. Remember that a product is not necessarily safe because it
is called ‘natural’.
Macmillan Cancer Support and Cancer Research UK have more

information about different therapies available and important safety
issues to bear in mind.
I have acupuncture and reflexology every

week and they are the most effective pain
relievers for me. If I have a specific pain site,
they remove the pain in a short time.
Prostate cancer and your feelings

Living with prostate cancer can be challenging, and can affect
how you feel.
Lots of men find it useful to get some support or find ways to look
after themselves – even if their treatment has finished. Partners,
family members and friends also need support. There is no right or
wrong way to think and feel, and each person’s reaction to living
with prostate cancer will be different.
It‘s not unusual to feel worried or low if you have prostate cancer.
So if you’re feeling very down, worried or you’re finding it hard to
cope, speak to your GP, nurse or hospital doctor.
The Specialist Nurses on our helpline can provide emotional

support. If you need to speak to someone immediately you could
ring the Samaritans on 08457 90 90 90 (open 24 hours).
Common thoughts and feelings

Men respond in all kinds of ways to being diagnosed and living
with prostate cancer.
• Shock, fear or anger. You could feel any or all of these things
when you’re told you have prostate cancer.
• Denial. If you feel well, you may find it difficult to accept that you
have prostate cancer.
• Frustration and disappointment. The way you think about
yourself, your life and your plans might have changed.
• Stress. It can be difficult to decide what treatment to have and
you might feel stressed.
• Worries about side effects. If you have side effects like

erection, urinary and bowel problems then coping with these
could also make you feel down or worried.
• Sense of loss. Hormone therapy can cause physical changes to
your body, such as putting on weight, reduced physical strength,
or changes to your sex life. This might make you feel very
different about your body and cause a sense of loss.
• Changing identity. Sometimes men say they feel less of a man
because of their diagnosis and treatment. Some men feel that
their role in the family has changed – for example, because
they’ve had to stop working.
• Mood swings. Hormone therapy can make you feel emotional
and down. It can also cause mood swings, such as getting
tearful and then angry.
• Anxiety. Some men worry about getting the results of prostate
specific antigen (PSA) tests. These are used to monitor your
cancer if you’re not having treatment straight away or to check
how successful treatment has been if you are having treatment.
Even after treatment has finished some men feel anxious and
find it hard to move on and think about the future.
• Feeling alone. You might feel isolated, especially if your
treatment has finished and you’re no longer seeing your
doctor or nurse.
These are all normal reactions. These feelings may stay with you,
but some men find they gradually change with time.
Depression – seeing the signs

Men with prostate cancer have an increased risk of depression
and anxiety. Being depressed doesn’t always mean being tearful
or low. Some men who are depressed find they get angry more
easily, start drinking more and stop taking care of themselves.
If you recognise these kinds of changes in yourself, there are
things that can help. Let your nurse or GP know.
Uncertainty about the future

It’s natural to find it difficult and upsetting when you think about the
future. This is especially true if you have advanced prostate cancer
and are worried about your outlook. Many men with advanced
cancer will have treatment that will control cancer for many months
or years but it can still be a worrying time.
You might find that making plans helps you feel more prepared
for what the future may hold, and reassured about the future for
your family.
You can read more about planning ahead and the support
available in our booklet, Advanced prostate cancer: Managing
symptoms and getting support.
My treatments and side effects lasted for

a while, and I found that I went through
good and not so good emotions.
What can help?

Try to go easy on yourself, and don’t expect to have all the
answers. Take some time to think about what’s bothering you, find
out about the options available that could help and then try one
that suits you.
Ways to deal with things

Every man has his own way of dealing with things.
Some men don’t want help from anyone else. Trying to block out
difficult emotions can be a strategy that works for some men. This
could be through doing something enjoyable as a distraction, like
physical activity.
But other men try to cope on their own because they are too
embarrassed to talk about it or afraid of worrying loved ones. They
may feel like they have to think positively and to not share any
negative feelings. Or to live up to how they think society expects
men to behave – that men can’t ask for help.
Some men do want to share concerns with their partner or access

other support. But it might take some time before you feel able to
‘open up’ to those around you. If you don’t have family or close friends,
there are other people who can provide support – see page 40.
Talking about things that trouble you could help you deal with
them. One study found that men who talked about their emotions
felt better.
And for some men, carrying on with everyday activities and finding
ways to look after themselves helps boost their self-esteem. Taking
control might help you feel better about things.
Boost your wellbeing

• Get information about prostate cancer and its treatments.
Understanding more about your cancer might reduce your
risk of anxiety or depression.
• Look after yourself by eating healthily and being physically
active. This will help you feel in control, can improve your overall
health and help you manage the effects of prostate cancer
and its treatment. See pages 25 to 29 for more information.
• Learn ways to reduce stress and worry. Some men find yoga
or meditation helpful. Or you could try courses which teach
relaxation or stress-management skills.
• Macmillan Cancer Support, the Expert Patients Programme,
Maggie’s Centres and Penny Brohn Cancer Care offer free
courses on subjects such as managing stress, side effects
and relationships.
• Try keeping up with your usual hobbies and social activities or
try some new ones. Some men say that this helps them stay
happy and relaxed. Doing something you are good at can
make you feel more positive. You could try setting yourself a
goal if that helps – like having one night out a week or walking
20 minutes each day.
• Get support from others. Research shows that this can
make you feel better and less anxious. See below for where
to get support.
Family and friends

You might already have your own support network. Talking to your
partner, family and friends can help take some of the pressure off you.
A common worry for men with prostate cancer is how to tell their
family or friends that they have cancer. Talking is a good way to
overcome this worry, but that’s not always easy. It can be hard
to know where to start, but Macmillan Cancer Support produce
information that can help.
Local support groups

Get in touch with your local prostate cancer support group. Support
groups can be a good way for you to meet people with similar
experiences and share information about diagnosis and treatment.
These groups are often set up by local health professionals, or

by people who have experience of prostate cancer. Meetings are
usually informal and offer an opportunity to find out about other
people’s experiences as well as discussing your own thoughts and
concerns. Many support groups also welcome partners, friends
and relatives – sometimes at the same meeting or at separate ones.
You can find details on our website prostatecanceruk.org, by

calling our Specialist Nurses on our confidential helpline or by
asking your nurse.
Online community
If you have access to the internet, join our online community, where
men and their families share their experiences of prostate cancer.
It’s free and only takes a few minutes to register. Visit our website
prostatecanceruk.org to sign up.
Peer support service

Our peer support service gives you the chance to talk with a
trained support volunteer who has direct experience of prostate
cancer. Many people find it helpful to talk to someone who has
been in a similar situation.
Our volunteers are all personally affected by prostate cancer, either

as a man with prostate cancer or as a family member. They are trained
to listen and offer support over the phone. To arrange to speak to a
volunteer, call our Specialist Nurses on our confidential helpline.
Health professionals
You can talk to your nurse, doctor or any other health professionals
you see about how you are feeling. You can also speak to our
Specialist Nurses on our confidential helpline.
Counselling
It’s sometimes hard to speak to those closest to you because you
don’t want to upset them or show your emotions. Some people
find it easier to talk to someone they don’t know – which is where
a counsellor might come in. They’re trained to listen and can help
you to find your own ways to deal with things. For some men,
talking to a counsellor is a good way to offload their worries.
There are different types of counselling. So if it’s not working out with
one counsellor, you could try a different approach with another.
Your GP can refer you to a counsellor or you could find

one yourself. The British Association for Counselling and
Psychotherapy has information about counsellors in your area.
Medicine
Sometimes anti-depressant medicine is helpful for people with
cancer who are depressed. Speak to your doctor about this. Before
you start taking anti-depressants, make sure you tell your doctor
or nurse about any other medicines or complementary therapies
you are taking. And if you take complementary therapies, let those
therapists know about any prescription drugs you’re taking.
Relationships and family life

Prostate cancer can change the normal pattern of your life and
have an impact on your relationships, particularly with your partner.
It can bring challenges, but can also bring some couples and
families closer together.
A diagnosis of prostate cancer will affect those close to you. They

will be dealing with their own anxieties and at the same time trying
to support you. Read more in our booklet, When you’re close to
a man with prostate cancer: A guide for partners and family.
You and your family may go through some issues, such as:
• changing priorities
• interrupted plans
• side effects like tiredness
• changes to the usual roles of your relationship.
Some couples and families find that they can deal with these
issues, learn to live with them or overcome them. Different
approaches might help.
• Try not to rely only on each other – a wider support network
could include other family, friends or health professionals.
• Make sure you get some advice or help if you have practical
pressures such as with work, money or household tasks.
• Get support for any relationship or communication difficulties.
• Find ways to manage or treat your side effects.
Couples
As well as the issues above, prostate cancer can also have an
effect on intimacy and your sex life.
Talking about it
If you have a partner, or are starting a new relationship, try to talk
to them about how you are feeling. Talking could help you and
your partner feel better and reduce any worries you have about
what each other is thinking. Talking may also help your partner
understand more about any physical and emotional changes you
are going through.
Sometimes it’s not easy to talk, especially during stressful times.

In particular, talking about sex can be difficult, even for a couple
who have been together for a long time. Relationship therapy can
sometimes help. Some hospitals offer counselling. Contact your
GP, nurse or hospital doctor if you’d like to see a counsellor.
Read more about dealing with the impact on sexual relationships

– whether you are heterosexual, gay or single – in our booklet,
Prostate cancer and your sex life. It comes with a DVD of six
men talking about their own experiences. The information and films
are also available on our website.
When my dad was diagnosed I knew

very little and I wanted to learn more
so I could support him, as he wasn’t
looking for information for himself.
Support for partners,

family and friends
This section is for anyone who is close to a man with prostate
cancer, such as partners, families or friends. The diagnosis of a
loved one can have a big impact on your life and you may need
support and information too.
You might have taken on more responsibilities at home and you

might also be giving emotional support to your loved one. At the
same time as all this, you could be dealing with your own feelings,
such as shock, worry, guilt and loneliness.
I have always seen dad as a big, strong,

nothing-can-affect-him sort of character,
and when I see that something actually has
affected him and upset him… it’s really hard.
What can help?

You might find that learning more about prostate cancer is helpful.
It will give you a better understanding of what to expect and things
to look out for, such as the side effects of treatment.
Supporting someone with prostate cancer to make changes to his

lifestyle can make you feel that are doing something to help. For
example, this could be by helping them eat a healthier diet and be
more physically active.
Make sure you make time for yourself. Try to keep up with hobbies
and seeing friends. It’s important to look after your own health as
well. If you are feeling unwell, tired or down make sure that you see
your own GP. You might also find that seeing a counsellor can help
you work through any concerns.
It can be helpful to talk to other partners, family members and

friends of men with prostate cancer at support groups or through
our peer support service. You can also share your views and
experiences with others who are close to men with prostate cancer
on our online community. See page 40 for details.
Read more in our booklet, When you’re close to a man with

prostate cancer: A guide for partners and family.
All our information and the Specialist Nurses on our confidential

helpline are there for you as well as your loved one who has
cancer. See page 58 for more information.
I think it was a very shared illness.

I went to every meeting with the oncologist
and joined the support group as well.
Daily life and prostate cancer

Prostate cancer and the side effects of treatment can have an
impact on your daily life.
You might need to make decisions about work and money. This
section looks at managing these and other practical issues, like
getting around and help at home.
Work
How can prostate cancer affect your working life?
You may need to take time off work for treatments. This includes
time for travelling to hospital and in some cases time to recover.
If you have surgery (radical prostatectomy) you may need to take

up to eight weeks or even longer off work. You’ll need to avoid
climbing too many stairs, lifting heavy objects or doing manual
work for eight weeks after the operation. Ask your doctor or nurse
for advice on how much time to take off.
Many men continue to work while having external beam

radiotherapy but some men find that they need time to rest during
treatment. You will need to go to hospital five days a week for
several weeks during the course of radiotherapy – and each visit
could take at least an hour.
Some of the side effects of treatments could affect your working

day. For example, having urinary problems, hot flushes or tiredness
could mean you need to take extra breaks. Some men have to
deal with these side effects for months or years after they have
finished treatment.
Can I keep working?

Some people feel that work helps their recovery and return to
normal life. But not everyone is able to continue working, and
some men decide to work part-time, or
take early retirement.
If you’ve been diagnosed with prostate cancer, the Equality Act

protects your rights in different areas of life, including at work. The
Equality Act is a law that protects anyone who has, or has had, a
disability – cancer is classed as a disability under this law. Even if you
no longer have cancer, you are still protected against discrimination.
If you live in Northern Ireland you have protection under the

Disability Discrimination Act.
Under these laws your employer has a duty to make ‘reasonable

adjustments’ to where and how you work, to make sure you get
the same chances as the people you work with.
For example, a reasonable adjustment could be:

• allowing you time off to attend medical appointments
• allowing extra breaks
• temporarily allowing you to have lighter duties
• providing adequate toilet facilities.
You can find out more about the law and working during and after
cancer treatment from Macmillan Cancer Support.
Most employers will be helpful and support you if you take time
off work and if you return. Where problems come up it might be
due to misunderstandings. However, not all employers are as
supportive as they should be. Some men say that even though
they have prostate cancer, they still ‘look okay’ so their boss
doesn’t understand that they are feeling unwell.
What can help at work?

If your employer learns more about prostate cancer and its
treatment, they might be more understanding. If you don’t feel
like talking about it, perhaps you could give them some of our
publications to read.
Take a look at your company policies and employee handbook

if you have them. Talk to your occupational health service for
advice if your company has one.
Go to your employer with suggestions about what would help

you. For example: taking extra breaks, working from home,
flexible hours, changing your job role or duties for a while.
Know your legal rights. Find out more about the law and make
sure your boss or company is aware of it. You could also contact
your union if you are part of one. Contact Citizens Advice for
advice on your rights.
If you are self-employed or you’re looking for work, you can get
more specific information from Macmillan Cancer Support or
Disability Rights UK.
My work often involved travelling. I would

have found it very difficult to keep this
up during and after treatment. However,
returning to the normal work environment,
even if it wasn’t full-time, has really helped
me to feel better in myself.
Money
If you’re struggling with the financial costs of cancer, or your
income has changed, you should be able to get some help.
Sick pay
If you’ve had time off work, find out if statutory sick pay and
occupational or company sick pay are relevant to you. Check your
employment contract or contact your local Citizens Advice Bureau
– their number should be in the phone book or on their website
citizensadvice.org.uk. You can get information from the official
government websites – GOV.UK and nidirect.gov.uk
Benefits
As a result of the Welfare Reform Act 2012 the benefits system will
be changing over the next few years. The organisations listed below
can give you the latest information about the help you can get.
The benefits you are entitled to vary depending on whether you are
working, how old you are and other factors. Find out more about
benefits and how to apply for them.
• Visit the websites GOV.UK or nidirect.gov.uk
• Contact your local Citizen’s Advice Bureau – they offer free,
independent, confidential and impartial advice. Their number
should be in the phone book or at www.citizensadvice.org.uk
• Call Macmillan Cancer Support to get advice on benefits.
Other costs
You might also be able to get help with the costs of travel to and
from hospital, and some other medical costs.
If you live in England and are having treatment for cancer, including
treatments for symptoms or side effects, you are entitled to
free prescriptions. Anyone over 60 in England also gets free
prescriptions. You’ll need to apply for a medical exemption
certificate. Ask your doctor for a FP92A form. Once you have filled
out the form, your doctor will need to sign it, and you will be sent
the certificate. You can find out more about free prescriptions at
NHS Choices. If you live in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland,
all prescriptions are free.
Travel insurance
Some men tell us that they find it harder to get travel insurance
because of their prostate cancer. Our Tool Kit fact sheet Travel
and prostate cancer gives tips on buying travel insurance.
Grants
Grants from other charities or organisations are available. Contact
Citizens Advice to find out which grants might be relevant to you.
How can I manage financially?

Try to maximise your money coming in, reduce money going out
and manage any debts. Disability Rights UK produces helpful
information, including where to get further advice.
Citizens Advice can give you free advice on how to manage your
finances. Alternatively you could consult an independent financial
adviser, who can let you know which companies offer the best
life assurance, mortgages, pensions and other financial services
for your situation.
Driving and public transport

The Blue Badge Scheme helps people park closer to their
destination if they are disabled and find it very hard to walk.
Contact your local council for details.
The Motability Scheme can help you lease or buy a car if you get
certain benefits. Even if you don’t drive yourself, you can apply
for a car as a passenger and propose up to two other people as
your drivers. You could also be eligible to get help to adapt a car
you already have to make it more suitable. To find out more call
Motability on 0845 456 4566.
If you use public transport you might get discounts and free travel.
Contact your local council for more details. To find your local
council contact details:
• in England visit GOV.UK
• in Wales visit wales.gov.uk
• in Scotland visit cosla.gov.uk
• in Northern Ireland visit nidirect.gov.uk
In the home
Some men with prostate cancer have told us that they have
difficulty carrying out their usual activities. This could be because
of side effects, symptoms like pain, or because they are not as
mobile as they used to be.
If you think you could do with some extra help in the home, get in
touch with your GP or local council and ask about social services
(social work department in Scotland) to see if they can give you
some advice or support.
You can ask social services to assess your needs – and the
needs of your carer, if you have one. For example, this assessment
will consider:
• equipment or adaptations to your home
• help at home, for example with getting dressed, cooking
or tasks like housework or shopping
• breaks away from home for you or anyone who is caring for you.
Your local social services department can refer you to an

occupational therapist (OT). They can help you overcome any
practical problems that you might have and help you live as
independently as possible. They can assess whether you need
help at home or work and give advice about equipment or
adaptations to the home.
A social worker can give you advice about practical issues such as
money, work and things to make day-to-day living easier. Your GP,
nurse or hospital doctor could also arrange for you to meet an OT
or social worker.
More information from us

The Tool Kit
The Tool Kit information pack contains fact sheets that explain
how prostate cancer is diagnosed, how it is treated and how it
may affect your lifestyle. Each treatment fact sheet also includes
a list of suggested questions to ask your doctor.
Leaflets and booklets

Other leaflets and booklets about prostate cancer and
other prostate problems can be ordered free of charge
from Prostate Cancer UK.
To order publications:
• Call us on 0800 074 8383
• Visit our website prostatecanceruk.org
Call our Specialist Nurses

If you want to talk about prostate cancer or other prostate
problems, call our Specialist Nurses in confidence. You can
also email the nurses using the contact form on our website.
Visit prostatecanceruk.org and click on ‘We can help’.
Speak to our
Specialist Nurses
0800 074 8383*
prostatecanceruk.org
* Calls are recorded for training purposes only. Confidentiality is maintained between callers
and Prostate Cancer UK.
Other useful organisations

Active Scotland
www.activescotland.org.uk
NHS Health Scotland website which lets you search for nearby
exercise activities (from easy to extreme).
Age UK
www.ageuk.org.uk
Advice line 0800 169 6565
Information or advice for older people on a range of subjects
including health, finances and lifestyle.
Bladder and Bowel Foundation

www.bladderandbowelfoundation.org
Helpline 0845 345 0165
Information and support for all types of bladder and bowel problems.
British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy

www.itsgoodtotalk.org.uk
Phone 01455 88 33 00
Information about counselling and details of therapists in your area.
British Dietetic Association

www.bda.uk.com
Information about a healthy diet and how to find a freelance dietitian.
British Heart Foundation

www.bhf.org.uk
Helpline 0300 330 3311
Information about heart disease and eating for a healthy heart.
CancerHelp UK
www.cancerhelp.org.uk
Nurse helpline 0808 800 4040
Cancer Research UK’s patient information resource.
Carers UK
www.carersuk.org
Advice line 0808 808 7777
Information and advice for carers, and details of local support groups.
Citizen’s Advice
www.citizensadvice.org.uk
Online advice: www.adviceguide.org.uk
Advice on a wide range of issues including financial and legal
matters. Find your nearest Citizens Advice Bureau on their website
or in the phonebook.
College of Sexual and Relationship Therapists (CORST)

www.cosrt.org.uk
Phone 020 8543 2707
Information about sexual and relationship therapy, and details of
accredited therapists.
Complementary and Natural Healthcare Council (CNHC)

www.cnhc.org.uk
Phone 020 3178 2199
Details of complementary therapy practitioners who meet national
standards of competence and practice.
Diabetes UK
www.diabetes.org.uk
Helpline 0845 120 2960
Information about diabetes.
Disability Rights UK
www.disabilityrightsuk.org
Independent Living Advice Line 0845 026 4748
Practical information guides about disability rights and benefits.
And keys for accessible toilets across the UK.
Expert Patients Programme

www.expertpatients.co.uk
Phone 0800 988 5550 or 01925 320 000
Free self-management courses in England (and online in parts of
Wales) – to help you take control and manage your condition.
GOV.UK
www.gov.uk
Information about UK government services, including benefits,
employment and money matters.
Macmillan Cancer Support

www.macmillan.org.uk
Helpline 0808 808 00 00
Practical, financial and emotional support for people with cancer,
their family and friends.
Maggie’s Centres
www.maggiescentres.org
Phone 0300 123 1801
A network of drop-in centres for cancer information and support.
Includes an online support group.
Marie Curie Cancer Care

www.mariecurie.org.uk
Phone 0800 716 146
Runs hospices throughout the UK and a nursing service for people
in their own home free of charge.
National Osteoporosis Society

www.nos.org.uk
Helpline 0845 450 0230
Information and support for people with fragile bones.
NHS Choices
www.nhs.uk
Information about treatments, conditions and lifestyle. Support for
carers and a directory of health services in England.
NHS 24
www.nhs24.com
Phone 08454 24 24 24
Health information and self care advice for people in Scotland.
Lists local NHS services including GPs and dentists.
NI Direct
www.nidirect.gov.uk
Government site providing information about practical and health
matters for people living in Northern Ireland.
Penny Brohn Cancer Care

www.pennybrohncancercare.org
Helpline 0845 123 23 10
Complementary care for people with cancer and their families.
Relate
www.relate.org.uk
Phone 0300 100 1234
Information, advice, relationship counselling and sex therapy.
In Scotland, contact Relationships Scotland instead.
Relate Northern Ireland

www.relateni.org
Phone 028 90 323 454
Offer relationship and sex counselling.
Relationships Scotland
www.relationships-scotland.org.uk
Phone 0845 119 2020
Information, advice, relationship counselling and sex
therapy in Scotland.
Samaritans
www.samaritans.org
Helpline 0845 790 9090
Confidential, non-judgemental emotional support, 24 hours a day,
by telephone, email, letter or face to face.
Sexual Advice Association

www.sda.uk.net
Helpline 0207 486 7262
Treatment information for erection difficulties and other
sexual problems.
Turn2US
www.turn2us.org.uk
Helpline 0808 802 2000
Help to access money that’s available through benefits, grants
and other help.
About Prostate Cancer UK

Prostate Cancer UK fights to help more men survive prostate
cancer and enjoy a better life. We support men by providing vital
information and services. We find answers by funding research
into causes and treatments and we lead change, raising the profile
of all prostate diseases and improving care. We believe that men
deserve better.
At Prostate Cancer UK, we take great care to provide up-to-date,

unbiased and accurate facts about prostate diseases. We hope
these will add to the medical advice you have had and help you
to make decisions. Our services are not intended to replace advice
from your doctor.
References to sources of information used in the production of this

booklet are available at prostatecanceruk.org
This publication was written and edited by:

Prostate Cancer UK’s Information Team.
It was reviewed by:

• Vanessa Basketter, Uro-oncology Clinical Nurse Specialist,
Portsmouth NHS Trust
• Kate Bullen, Professor of Psychology, Aberystwyth University,
Aberystwyth, Ceredigion
• Jon Rees, GP with special interest in Urology and Men’s Health,
Backwell and Nailsea Medical Group, North Somerset
• Nona Toothill, Urology CNS, Airedale NHS Foundation Trust
• Dr Cathryn Woodward, Consultant Clinical Oncologist, West
Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust, Bury St Edmunds
• Prostate Cancer UK Specialist Nurses
• Prostate Cancer UK Volunteers
Donate today – help others like you

Did you find this information useful? Would you like to help
others in your situation access the facts they need? Every year,
40,000 men face a prostate cancer diagnosis. Thanks to our
generous supporters, we offer information free to all who need it.
If you would like to help us continue this service, please consider
making a donation. Your gift could fund the following services:
• £10 could buy a Tool Kit – a set of fact sheets, tailored to
the needs of each man with vital information on diagnosis,
treatment and lifestyle.
• £25 could give a man diagnosed with prostate cancer
unlimited time to talk over treatment options with one of our
specialist nurses.
To make a donation of any amount, please call us on

020 8222 7666, visit prostatecanceruk.org/donations or text
PROSTATE to 70004*. There are many other ways to support us.
For more details please visit prostatecanceruk.org/get-involved
*You can donate up to £10 via SMS and we will receive 100%
of your donation. Texts are charged at your standard rate. For
full terms and conditions and more information, please visit
prostatecanceruk.org/terms
Speak to our
Specialist Nurses
0800 074 8383*
prostatecanceruk.org
© Prostate Cancer UK July 2013

To be reviewed July 2015
The helpline is open Mon - Fri 9am - 5pm, plus Wed 7pm - 9pm
* Calls are recorded for training purposes only.
LWA/JUL13
Confidentiality is maintained between callers and Prostate Cancer UK.
Prostate Cancer UK is a registered charity in England and Wales (1005541) and in

2014
Scotland (SC039332). Registered company number 2653887.

Living With and After Prostate Cancer

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Living With and After Prostate Cancer

Uploaded by

Document Information

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Living With and After Prostate Cancer

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Living with and

after prostate cancer

About this booklet

There’s information about the physical and emotional effects

This booklet is designed as a general guide and everyone’s

The following symbols appear throughout the booklet to guide

Prostate Cancer UK Specialist Nurse helpline

Prostate Cancer UK publications

See men tell their own stories in our online videos:

If you would like to know more about anything you read

Living with and after

Support from health professionals

Let your doctor or nurse know if you notice any symptoms or

Read about getting care and support after treatment in our

Use the form below to keep a record of who to contact if you

Problem or concern Who to contact

How can I help myself?

Self-management doesn’t mean you should try to manage

Before my appointments I find it useful to

Physical effects of prostate cancer

These are the main treatment options for prostate cancer.

Fatigue (extreme tiredness)

Fatigue could be caused by any prostate cancer treatment. It

We have a telephone support service called Get back on track

What can help?

For example, make a list of everything you do and see what’s

Lots of men continue to work while they have treatment, but if

Physical activity and diet

One great tip was to take a short rest

Sorting out your sleep

If your sleep is being disturbed by getting up for the toilet a lot

Dealing with depression or anxiety

I found exercise is the best thing to combat

What else can help?

What can help?

How can I manage urinary problems myself?

A few practical steps, such as carrying around absorbent pads

Making some changes to your lifestyle might help you manage

Watch Paul’s story

What can help?

If you have long-term bowel problems, you could ask to be referred

Macmillan Cancer Support and the Bladder and Bowel Foundation

How can I manage bowel problems myself?

If you are having problems with diarrhoea, cutting down on

Having treatment for prostate cancer can affect:

• the appearance of your body

There is no right or wrong time to consider getting help and

Some common questions answered

What can help?

intimate relationship, without having penetrative sex. Some men

Try to talk through the issues with your partner. Relationship

If you or your partner feel depressed or anxious, getting help for

Read more about sexual problems in our booklet Prostate cancer

How can I manage sexual problems myself?

But you might be able to store some sperm before treatment so

Side effects of hormone therapy

Read more, including ways to help manage or reduce them, in our

Watch Bruce’s story

What can help?

Treatments to control pain include: