Recovery after Prostate Cancer

Recovery after prostate cancer

What you should know-

• Effects 1 in 8 men

• The second leading cause of cancer related deaths for men in the US

• Higher in African-American men

• African America men are also more likely to die from prostate cancer than white men

Risk increases with age as the prostate increases in size by 10% each year after age 50 and early detection is important for best treatment outcomes.

Treatments include (and not limited to):

• Removal of prostate

• Radiation therapy (external beams or brachytherapy)

• Chemotherapy

How does pelvic floor therapy help recovery after Prostate Cancer?

Once prostate is removed, 90% of patients will experience urinary incontinence due to injury of the pelvic floor muscles and new onset of less support in the pelvis.

The pelvic floor muscles control the opening and closing of the bladder and with lack of support from the prostate and weakness and uncoordinated pelvic floor muscles.

Leakage occurs with coughing, sneezing, jumping, walking, transitioning positions like getting up from a chair.

Studies by Milos et al 2019 show that prehabilitation prior to prostate removal can help retrain and strengthen the muscles at a faster rate of dryness than individuals receiving treatment later down the road. Prehab will make a difference in the quality of life- enjoyable sex, socializing at sports games, and returning to athletic participation and can be initiated before surgery after cancer has been confirmed by biopsy. 

Additional studies reveal that professional supervision also leads to better outcomes and quality of life with dryness than performing pelvic floor exercises without guidance- you don’t need to suffer on your own.

At Radiance PT,

If you are an active man who wants to keep lifting without wearing diapers after prostate cancer surgery or surgery for enlarged prostate, contact the Radiance PT office in Durham today where you can receive personalized support along your journey of surviving prostate cancer and resuming active and social life you deserve.