Living with Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer can be completely eradicated with treatment and partially regressed, as in some patients. Completing the treatment may give you some relief, but it is normal to be worried about the possibility of relapse and this feeling will always be present. It is important to cope with these anxieties, learn to live together and make an effort to return to the normal routines of life after the treatment ends or while the treatment is ongoing. Learning to live with cancer that does not go away is difficult and very stressful. There may be a need for hormone therapy and/or chemotherapy to help keep the disease under control for as long as possible. The side effects of such treatments can adversely affect the quality of life.

Prostate cancer has some differences from other cancers seen in the body. Prostate cancer is the most common type of cancer seen in the male population, but it is not lethal like other cancers. We can diagnose only 1/5 of all prostate cancers, only 1/5 of the patients we diagnose and treat die from prostate cancer, so it may be necessary to divide prostate cancers into two categories as clinically significant and insignificant.

Monitoring and Control in Prostate Cancer

Even if you have completed the treatment, you should be monitored closely and at regular intervals. Check-ups are required, so it is very important that you attend all your follow-up appointments. During these checkups, you will be asked questions about any problem you are experiencing, and examinations and laboratory tests and/or imaging tests will be requested for research purposes regarding the side effects of cancer or the treatments performed. Some side effects of treatment may last for a long time or may occur even years after you have finished treatment. It is important to provide information about new symptoms at each check-up, the appearance of some symptoms can be considered as a sign of relapse or further progression of the disease or even a secondary cancer.

In routine controls, usually, If your prostate has not been removed, a digital rectal examination and PSA blood tests are probably performed. The frequency of checkups and tests depends on the stage and grade of the cancer and the likelihood of recurrence. Usually about 6 months during the first 5 years after treatment. PSA testing is recommended monthly and then at least annually. Bone scans or other imaging tests may also be done, depending on your medical condition and symptoms.

Follow-up and Planning of daily life

Living with prostate cancer and planning includes:

• Record containing information about a summary of the treatment you have received, recording of examination results and reports

• Records containing timings and appointments of follow-up and controls

• Early detection of secondary cancers that may develop, screening tests and their timing. Planning tests to investigate the long-term health effects of existing cancer and/or treatment a list of side effects

• Implementing suggestions that can improve your overall health, including reducing the chance of cancer recurrence

Can I reduce the risk of prostate cancer progression and/or recurrence?

• Performing regular physical activity: It has been claimed that doing regular exercise after treatment may be less likely to die from prostate cancer than those who do not, but this has not been fully proven. It is a matter of debate about how much and what kind of sports or activities to be done, but it is recommended to do sports and exercise according to one's capacity.

• To reach and maintain a healthy weight: It is known that overweight and obese men tend to have a worse prognosis when diagnosed with prostate cancer. However, it is not clear whether losing the existing excess weight will reduce this risk.

• Quit smoking: The risk of recurrence of prostate cancer and the risk of dying from prostate cancer are higher in smokers compared to nonsmokers. That's why p It is recommended that patients with prostate cancer quit smoking.

• Nutrition and dietary supplements: As with other cancer types, patients with prostate cancer are rich in vegetables and have more animal fats. It has been found that low-grade foods may be beneficial. However, we do know that a healthy diet can have positive effects on our overall health, beyond reducing the risk of prostate or other cancers. It has not proven to be clearly beneficial in reducing the risk of relapse. In fact, it is claimed that some supplements, such as selenium, are not as beneficial as claimed, and may even be harmful. In addition, it should not mean that no supplements will be beneficial, these products are not in the category of drugs, and their benefits do not need to be proven to be placed on the market. If you are considering taking any type of dietary supplement, talk to your healthcare team. They can help you weed out the harmful ones and decide which ones you can safely use.

  
  
  

  Support for Prostate Cancer Patients

  Extreme fatigue and feeling exhausted: Extreme fatigue and/or exhaustion, frustration and lack of energy are very common in prostate cancer patients. This can affect daily life, social activities, sleep, and general concentration. every patient copes with this complaint quite well, some patients may require additional support. Sometimes small changes that can help improve your fatigue can help you feel better.

  If you feel very tired, you should not drive.

  Incontinence: A certain rate and severity of urinary incontinence can be seen after prostate cancer surgery or after radiotherapy, which is expected. Urinary incontinence may occur immediately after surgery, but may improve over time. After radiotherapy, urinary incontinence may not start immediately, it usually starts later and may increase in severity as time passes. There are some medical products that can help in this regard. Incontinence pads cover your underwear and absorb leaked urine. Some artificial prostheses can be applied in excessive urinary incontinence, it is recommended to talk to your doctor for this.

  
  Urinary tract stricture: If you have difficulty urinating, it may be due to the tumor pressing on the urinary tract. it could be. Sometimes, it may be necessary to take a part of the prostate, called transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP), with a closed method, or medication may be given. This surgery is aimed at making you urinate more easily, rather than curing the cancer.

  Sexuality: Prostate cancer treatment often seriously affects sexual function. Prostate cancer treatment methods can damage the nerves and blood circulation to the penis, making it difficult to achieve or maintain an erection, which is called erectile dysfunction. If you're on hormone therapy, it can also affect your sex drive. You may feel sad, angry, or stressed, and these feelings can change your feelings about sex. Just being diagnosed with prostate cancer can affect your sex drive. It is important to seek medical support for this. Learning to be comfortable and at peace with your body during and after prostate cancer treatment requires a personal effort and this is different for everyone. Information and support can help you cope with these changes over time. Talking and sharing about your partner, sex, and how you're coping with cancer may help you partially. Talking about it can be difficult, but your doctor can help you get treatment and support.

  Emotional support:  It can be a huge shock to be told you have cancer, you and it can cause different fears and emotions for your loved ones. Living with prostate cancer can affect your daily life, work, and relationships. Feelings of depression, anxiety, or anxiety are normal when prostate cancer is a part of your life. Some patients may be more affected than others. Prostate cancer patients may ask their friends and family, some religious groups.

  Hormone changes: The male hormone 'Testosterone' is mainly It is made by the testicles and is an essential hormone for prostate function. Hormone therapy lowers the amount of testosterone in your body, which can affect your overall mood, including your sex drive. You may feel tearful or angry, or you may not feel your usual self. These feelings are normal and are caused by hormone therapy. You can get support from your physician regarding this issue.

  
  

  Frequently Asked Questions:

  
  

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  Will I be able to work?: Patients with prostate cancer are mostly able to return to their daily work routines. However, some patients may work part-time, have reduced workload and weight, or may wish to retire. There is no single truth in this matter, medical necessity and the patient's desire are decisive in this regard. You may be on leave or off for a long time during or after the treatment, this period will give you the opportunity to organize your future life.

  Will I be able to travel?: If you drive, you need to be very careful about how your treatment affects you. Driving is not recommended if you are tired or feel unwell. If you are planning to travel abroad, it may affect where you go and for how long. Having cancer should not prevent you from traveling, as long as you do not disrupt treatment.

  
  
  

  Palliative care

  If you have advanced prostate cancer, You may hear the term supportive or palliative care. The focus of palliative care is to manage any pain you have and to help you find ways to cope with the bothersome symptoms. Palliative care is not just for patients in the last stages of their lives, it also includes support to help you prepare for this situation. Helping you find ways to cope with troubling symptoms gives you and your family the care you need.

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