Whether through our phone support line or our online chat support, we performed more than 1,730 interventions in 2021, of which here are the top 5 questions answered by our uro-oncology nurses.

I urinate often or I have blood in my semen, in my urine or I have pain in the pelvis area, in my lower back and when I urinate, I feel a burning sensation. Is that bad? I don’t have a family doctor. What should I do? These questions are very common and often raise a lot of concerns among men.

Answer – On the one hand, prostate problems can start around the age of 40. These are mainly urinary problems, your prostate taking on volume (BPH). It is a natural phenomenon. It could be inflamed if there is a urinary tract infection. If so, pain in the pelvic region is usually present. It is then a prostatitis, which can manifest itself at any age. Consult immediately or go to the emergency room if you have fever, chills or pain in addition to urinary symptoms. You may be suffering from acute bacterial prostatitis.

For blood in the semen or blood in the urine in the absence of a medical intervention (such as a recent biopsy or radiation therapy), the causes can be multiple. Depending on the information obtained from you, it may be advisable to monitor the situation or consult a doctor.

One thing is certain if you have any unusual and persistent symptoms, you need to consult a doctor! If you don’t have a family doctor, go to a walk-in clinic. The article Worried about your symptoms? When to consult! can guide your decision to see a doctor.

I’m worried because my PSA level keeps going up. Is it prostate cancer? A recurrence? This is a common question filled with worry and often anxiety.

Answer – When your APS (or PSA), a protein secreted by your prostate, is elevated on screening, the only conclusion we can draw is that your prostate is talking to you and needs to be investigated. The amounts considered normal vary depending on your age at screening or whether you are or have been treated for prostate cancer.

Certain factors can contribute to an increase in your PSA level: a large prostate or prostatitis (inflammation/infection of your prostate), a urinary tract infection, an examination of your bladder, the use of a catheter, a recurrence, etc.

The important thing is to monitor the speed and time it takes for your PSA level to climb. In case of doubt, you will be referred to a urologist, to understand your situation and to be sure, or treatment will be instituted following the initial treatment if a recurrence is confirmed.

I have just received a diagnosis and my urologist gives me the choice between surgery or radiotherapy. I have no idea which treatment to choose…  The majority of men ask us this question following a diagnosis. These are normally interventions that last an average of 30 minutes.

Answer – Unless you are not a candidate for one of the two options, there are generally no hard and fast rules for deciding whether radical surgery or radiation therapy is preferable as a treatment. If your cancer is truly confined to your prostate, it can be cured with surgery or radiation therapy.

Treating your cancer is a very personal decision. To feel confident, you need to actively be involved in your treatment choice and it is important to be seen by a urologist and a radiation oncologist to have both points of view. We will take the time to answer all your questions throughout your decision-making process.

Is it normal to be incontinent or not to regain my erections after my radical surgery? Many patients contact us because of these two post-surgery side effects. These interventions also last an average of 30 minutes.  

Answer – Note that after removing the catheter, many men observe more or less significant leaks. But for many of you, this incontinence, fortunately, does not last. Over time, your bladder control returns to “normal” or only mild stress urinary incontinence remains. You will no doubt be told about Kegel exercises, physiotherapy and voiding diary.

Between 5% and 10% of you will experience stress urinary incontinence during the year following your surgery and, for less than 5% of men, this incontinence will become permanent. Do not panic if you are in the bottom 5%, as there are interventions to correct this situation. You will be invited to discuss potential solutions with your urologist.

Different degrees of erectile dysfunction are common following radical surgery, even when your surgeon preserves your erectile nerves. A certain percentage of men regain their erectile function 1 to 36 months after surgery. Some, however, may never regain the ability to achieve a spontaneous erection without medical help. How quickly your function improves depends on your erectile function before the operation, your age, and your general health.

Whether we are talking about side effects related to surgery or radiotherapy, our role is to direct you to existing treatments and how to use them, refer you to our webinars and useful information on our site and encourage you, if you can, to consult a health professional such as a sexologist and/or a nutritionist.

How long before the hot flashes stop after my hormone therapy? Question number one regarding hormone therapy. Loss of libido comes second. 

Answer – Know that approximately 50 to 80% of men who receive hormone therapy for prostate cancer will experience hot flashes during their treatment in the same way as women who experience the pangs of menopause. Hot flashes usually go away as your body adjusts to the treatment or after the treatment.

If your hormonal treatment lasts less than a year, it is very likely that the hot flashes will persist for a few months after treatment. But the longer hormone therapy continues, the more testosterone levels may never return to normal, and the longer the side effects take to recover. We will suggest possible solutions, including discussing them with your specialist.

---

Take the time to visit each of our pages on this website, as well as our YouTube channel, in order to get familiar with the disease, our expert lectures and webinars, our section on available resources, the support that is offered to you, our events and ways to get involved in advancing the cause.

You have questions or concerns? Don’t hesitate. You can chat with us or contact us at 1-855-899-2873 to discuss with one of our nurses specialized in uro-oncology. They are there to listen, support and answer your questions, as well as those of your family or loved ones. It’s simple and free, like all of our other services.

Pages on our site that might interest
Want to know more? Just click on one of the links below.
Am I at risk
Signs and symptoms

PROCURE blog articles that might enlighten you
Every week, we publish a blog article. Here are a few for you.
6 Tips to Keep Your Prostate Healthy
PSA Test: Yes, No, Maybe?
Did you say prostate cancer?
Yet, I had no risk factors…

Written by PROCURE. © All rights reserved – 2022