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Questions This Article Answers:
- How often do I need to see my doctor after prostate cancer treatment?
- What side effects may I still have after prostate cancer?
- How can I prevent prostate cancer from recurring?
- What support groups are available for prostate cancer survivors?
You’ve finished active treatment for your prostate cancer. Your surgery or radiation therapy has come to an end. Now what? You may be feeling a combination of relief that it’s over and worry that the cancer could come back. You also may be dealing with ongoing side effects from treatment. Here are some tips to help you as you transition into life after prostate cancer treatment.
Your Doctor’s Follow-up Plan After Prostate Cancer
Your health provider will work with you to develop a personalized plan for your care, aimed at detecting any new or recurring cancer, treating side effects, and helping you prevent future cancer.
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Regular visits: Expect periodic doctor’s visits. Usually your doctor will want to see you every 3 to 6 months in the first couple of years following treatment; then—if there are no signs of recurrence—every 6 to 12 months for the next three years. This may vary depending on stage of cancer you had at diagnosis or other factors. But what’s important is to not miss these appointments, as they are key to your recovery and long-term health.
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Tests: The PSA (prostate-specific antigen) test will likely be performed at least twice a year for the first five years after treatment, then annually thereafter. It could be requested more often if you are at high risk of recurrence. Digital rectal exams are given only if you still have a prostate. Other tests might include lab work, imaging tests (such as MRIs), and bone scans.
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Symptoms: Your doctor should let you know which signs and symptoms you need to watch for, such as new pain or urinary problems. Let your doctor know right away if these are occurring—don’t wait until your next appointment. Also keep in touch with your healthcare team with any other questions or concerns you may have.
Common Side Effects After Prostate Cancer
A variety of short-term and long-term side effects are common, depending on the type of treatment you received. You may have depression and anxiety from the stressful experience you’ve just endured. If you had or are still receiving hormone therapy, you may have a host of symptoms ranging from hot flashes to high blood pressure. Radiation therapy may trigger ongoing bowel problems.
Two of the most common side effects are urinary problems and erectile dysfunction.
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Urinary problems, such as leakage or feeling the urge to go even when you don’t have to, can occur with treatment, but are typically short-lived, with most people recovering within 6 to 12 months. Your doctor can guide you to exercises, medications, and other tools (such as neuromuscular electrical stimulation) to help correct the problem. Surgery also is an option.
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Erectile dysfunction: Both surgery and radiation can result in impairment of sexual function. Surgical patients often recover sexual function within 4 to 24 months, whereas ED following radiation therapy is usually permanent. Talk to your doctor about medications, devices and procedures you can use to manage this side effect.
Ways You Can Prevent Prostate Cancer
Research shows healthy living can help prevent the recurrence or new occurrence of prostate cancer. Doctors recommend you:
- Exercise at least 150 minutes each week
- Avoid tobacco in all its forms
- Eat a diet filled with fruits, vegetables and whole grains, while avoiding foods high in saturated fat
- Keep alcohol consumption to no more than two drinks per day
Vitamins and supplements, such as selenium and vitamin E, have been shown to be ineffective or even counterproductive in prevention. Some studies have shown men taking vitamin E or who take more than seven vitamins or supplements per day actually raise their risk of developing prostate cancer.
On the other hand, early test results show pomegranate juice, pomegranate extract and flaxseed taken daily may slow the growth of any new or recurring prostate cancer.
Recovery from prostate cancer treatment can take time, so be patient with yourself. Rely on caregivers–family and friends–to help as you work through this process. You also may want to talk to other prostate cancer survivors in a support group. Your doctor or local medical center should be able to help you find one in your area, or you can seek out a support group online, such as through the
Prostate Cancer Foundation.