Treating Prostate Cancer: It Is More Than Just Surgery
When you have been diagnosed with prostate cancer, you are much more concerned with the idea that you have a cancer that can kill you than you are by the fact that you have a male-only cancer. (Women will never have to face prostate cancer because they do not have prostates.) In all actuality, it is of greater concern treating the cancer and what follows, than the fact that your female partner will never have this. Here is what happens once you have been diagnosed, and what often happens afterward:
Removal of the Prostate
Most men do not discover that they have prostate cancer until it is in the later stages. Thankfully, prostate cancer typically stays very local; within the prostate itself. The prostate is surgically removed, usually by going behind the testicles and scrotum, and in front of the anal opening.
The prostate is pushed out of this incision carefully, clamped off to reduce the possibility of leaking cancer cells into the body and cut free. The remaining tissues and organs, such as the seminal vesicles and vas deferens (which are responsible for collecting seminal fluid from the prostate and sending it into the penis with sperm) remain intact but are no longer fully functional without the prostate. Some men may have trouble urinating or maintaining an erection after they have healed from prostate removal surgery.
Follow-up with Chemo and/or Radiation
As an added precaution, an oncologist may prescribe a few rounds of chemo and/or radiation. This kills any cancer cells that may have remained in the body or cells that managed to escape and "free-float" during surgery. Your oncologist will test your blood first to see if there are any remaining signs of cancer before recommending or prescribing these treatments.
Treating Other Physical and Emotional Problems after Surgery
Men closely identify with all of the organs that make them men. For some, the loss of the prostate gland and the ability to impregnate women causes depression and feelings of inadequacy. For this, there are support groups and clinical therapists who can help with the emotional and psychological problems you face (if applicable).
Men may also have other issues, such as problems urinating or maintaining an erection. Others may want to have sex more often to feel more virile and associate the loss of the prostate with the need to amp up their sexuality. There are physical and pharmaceutical treatments for all of the above.
Check out a website like http://swoncology.net/ for more information and assistance.