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Prostate Cancer

  • 21-04-2009 06:42PM
    #1
    LegacyUser
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 166,005 ✭✭✭✭


    My father found out today that he has prostate cancer. I don't really know much about it and I'm not looking for the medical side of things just wondering has anyone had any experience with people they know who have had it.

    The doctors seem to thing that he will be fine, he has to see a specialist and then have some radio treatment.

    My mother had Breast Cancer about six years ago but she is fine thank God, so we have had some experience with Cancer.

    My dad says that he is okay about it but I know what he is like and he will be worried sick underneath, I really don't know what to say to him.

    Any advise would be appreciated.


Comments

  • #2
    bluecell99
    Closed Accounts Posts: 259 ✭✭bluecell99


    Hey there,

    Easy to say but try not to worry.I personally know two men who were diagnosed seven and ten years ago.They are both fine.It is extremely slow growing and responds very well to treatment for years.This seems to be what the doctors are saying in your Dad's case.It is one of the most responsive to treatment and quality of life can be maintained as good as it ever was in many,many cases.As in all cancer saces it is completely vital that it is caught in the early stages.Looks like it has been in your Dad's case and hopefuly this will be a minor annoyance for him regarding medical check up's every few months.

    In a portion of cases ,where the Doc suspects it is a more aggressive form,then the prostate can be removed.it is a big operation but highly successful and again life can be resumed as normal.In some cases there may be subsequent trouble with urination(can be dealt with) and in the sex life.

    removal of the prostate gland results in less sensation for some,no difference for others and the end of normal sexual activity in others still.

    Whatever ,just be strong and supportive and life will go on big time for ye all.


  • #3
    Stheno
    Moderators, Business & Finance Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 51,685 Mod ✭✭✭✭Stheno


    My dad is recovering from bowel cancer and like your dad was the same when he found out, said everything was fine, and that was it.

    I found the best way for me to cope/help him was to keep things as normal as possible, pop down for a chat, bring books he was interested in, and ask how he was doing, when he wanted to chat about his treatment/how he was feeling, he did, when he didn't he just said nothing. Sometimes especially when he was in hospital after operations, he'd have a right old vent, and let off steam, especially if my mum wasn't there, as she's an awful worrier and he'd not want her worrying any more than she would already.


    He's not the sort to make a fuss at all, but I do know that he appreciated the effort to keep in touch and keep things "normal" so to speak, and still does.

    Edited to add: My reply was very much focussed toward your dad saying he was fine.

    Best wishes to your dad for a full recovery, sorry not to be of any more help.


  • #4
    John Mason
    Hosted Moderators Posts: 10,661 ✭✭✭✭John Mason


    http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/forumdisplay.php?f=1136


    you should also look at the mens health forum


  • #5
    DAC
    Closed Accounts Posts: 50 ✭✭DAC


    Hi,
    Listening to Shay Healy on Marian Finucane the other day he was discussing the fact he had parkinsons disease & explained that "parkinsons was like prostrate cancer something that you died with not of" my father in law had it 15 years ago & he's still with us at 80. Best wishes to your Dad.


  • #6
    Ann22
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,006 ✭✭✭Ann22


    I have two uncles who have had it (they're not related to each other). It's a very slow growing cancer...many older men get it and are successfully treated. Try not to worry. In fact i saw a doctor on tv saying he preferred to monitor some type of it in the very old with blood tests than to treat it.


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  • #7
    pow wow
    Closed Accounts Posts: 5,288 ✭✭✭pow wow


    My dad was diagnosed late last year and opted to have it removed rather than have radiotherapy. His two brothers have also had it (all in their early-mid 60s), one had radiotherapy to treat it and the other had it removed. Detected and treated early the recovery rates are good.

    My dad is quite ill but that's to do with the surgery rather than the cancer itself. Over 6 months after the operation he still can't walk unaided and has lost a phenomenal amount of weight. He doesn't really speak and it's like the lights are on but no-one's home. If he had his time over he'd go for the radiotherapy but hindsight is 20/20 isn't it?

    Stay positive, it's a common cancer but easier to treat and manage than many other forms. :) If you want to chat or anything PM me.


  • #8
    txt_mess
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 262 ✭✭txt_mess


    Hey Op ,

    My Dad has prostate cancer he had it before in his early thirties which he got treated for and and it went away until about a year ago ( he's in his 70's now).

    Our experience has been strangley positive he used to be very in and out of depressive moods but the treatment has almost given him purpose in beating the cancer.

    I will say there are a number of treatments the doc will go through all of them make sure somebody goes to the appointment with your Dad cause they give out a lot of info and we found a second set of ears is always useful. Apart from that he should be going along like normal he will have lows of energy a day or two after treatment cause it does seem to sap the life out of you but that's only once ever 2 to 3 weeks.

    My dad has been making great progress even with a hip operation in the middle of it all so I don't see any reason to be negative as the treatments seem to almost be common place and well established so just start talking to his docs and they'll steer you in the right direction.


  • #9
    LegacyUser
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 166,005 ✭✭✭✭LegacyUser


    Hi OP here, thanks for all the replies. He was talking to a nurse in the hospital who is a neighbour of his and she went through alot of the information about it and what would happen so I think that has calmed him alot. He's 73 so even if he has to live with it it's not going to effect him too much. He doesn't want to have the prostrate removed as that can make him incontinent(sp) and he would HATE that.

    The outllook seems to be okay, if they have caught earlier enough the radium treatment should help (if not cure it). He's to go for a bone scan in a couple of weeks, I think that's just to check the strength of his bones before the treatment.

    Again, Thank you for all you replies.


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