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Post treatment and further information

HOW MIGHT PROSTATE CANCER AFFECT YOUR RELATIONSHIP?

Being diagnosed with any form of cancer can be a life-changing and stressful experience and have a profound effect on your relationship. Despair, anger, worry, and fear may all lead to you withdrawing emotionally from your partner and cause difficulties with communication and feelings of rejection.

Being diagnosed with prostate cancer brings with it particular challenges as it can change the way you feel about yourself and your sexuality. Prostate cancer and its treatment can cause problems with erections, ejaculation, sex drive, and other physical changes, but there are many ways of reducing the impact of these changes on you and your partner, and you should always try and talk about any problems you are experiencing with your healthcare team.

WILL PROSTATE CANCER AFFECT YOUR ABILITY TO HAVE CHILDREN?

Prostate cancer itself should not necessarily affect your ability to father children. Unfortunately, however, some prostate cancer treatments may lead to temporary or permanent infertility. If the prostate and nearby structures are removed surgically, it unlikely that you will be able to father a child naturally after surgery. Radiation therapy and chemotherapy usually have some effect on fertility, but the effects may not be permanent. Hormone treatment can reduce fertility while it’s ongoing, but fertility should return to normal once treatment is over.

For men who wish to father children, the best option is sperm banking which should be considered before treatment begins. This offers the hope of being able to have children in the future through the process of artificial insemination.

TALKING ABOUT PROSTATE CANCER TO FAMILY AND FRIENDS

Is there a right time to tell people you have or have had prostate cancer? The simple answer is “no”. If you choose to tell people, when and how you do so is entirely up to you. There are no set rules for how to do this. You may wish to discuss this with your partner and immediate family first before telling friends or colleagues.

Telling your children you have cancer can be especially difficult but should not be avoided. Children need to understand what has happened, what will happen next, and how the cancer is being treated. Being honest is vital, but children should be left feeling hopeful and assured that they will always be loved and cared for.

AFTER TREATMENT: WHAT NEXT?

Your healthcare team will want to see you during the course of your treatment and after your treatment has finished. They are likely to run tests to see how your treatment is working and whether to continue, change, or stop a specific course of treatment. These tests will also indicate whether your cancer has changed or recurred. These tests are sometimes called follow-up tests or check-ups.