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Urinary
Dysfunction
As stated earlier, incontinence means you can’t control your
urine or you have trouble with leaking. Prostate cancer, and treatments
for prostate cancer, can affect both the muscle at the base of the
bladder, and at the base of the prostate. For men undergoing prostatectomy,
incontinence is the most common urinary side effect. But pre-surgical
urinary function can play an important role as well. Less than 4%
of men who have surgery will have long-term problems with leakage
of urine (incontinence) and discomfort passing urine. Around 2% of
men will experience the occasional dampness or drop of urine. If you
are having a total prostatectomy, there are simple exercises that
you can do before the operation. These will help to strengthen the
muscles that control your bladder. As a result, it may reduce the
risk of urinary incontinence after your operation. A physiotherapist
or nurse will show you how to do these exercises. Other treatments
for prostate cancer, such as radiotherapy or brachytherapy, may also
result in weakened muscles. There are a number of treatments that
can reduce the problem of incontinence. These involve surgery, drugs
or both. Your doctor or nurse will be able to advise if these treatments
would be appropriate for you.
All the HSE
offices (local health boards) have continence advisers who will
show you ways to cope. See ‘Resources’
link for more details on HSE offices.
It is important
to say that these problems do not affect all men. You can ask your
doctor as many questions as you like about your treatment and the
possible side-effects, so that you are better prepared to cope if
problems do arise.
A factsheet on erectile dysfunction is available in the Publications section of this website.
Alternatively, please contact the National Cancer Helpline at 1800 200 700 or e-mail: prostate@irishcancer.ie for further advice.
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National Cancer Helpline
1 800 200 700
Any question
on any cancer
from anybody,
free of charge.
Mon-Thurs, 9am-7pm
Friday, 9am-5pm
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