Back in control after prostate cancer

For many men, beating prostate cancer comes with a significant side effect: urinary incontinence. But men now have more options than ever to deal with this common treatment side effect.

“There is an increasing array of options for treating urinary incontinence,” says Nathaniel Coddington, MD, a functional reconstructive urologist with AdventHealth Medical Group Urology at DTC. “We’re better at helping men regain their quality of life than ever before.”

Understanding Post-Surgery Incontinence
Up to one in five men who undergoes prostate cancer treatment experiences bladder leakage that doesn’t improve over time, Dr. Coddington says. For many, this means a few drops during vigorous activity. But for a small percentage, the problem can be much more severe.

“They can’t go out and be social, they can’t exercise, and they often struggle with depression and weight gain,” Dr. Coddington says. “That kind of severe case is rare, but it can be devastating.”

New Treatment Options
For decades, the only option for severe incontinence was a surgically implanted device called an artificial urinary sphincter, which includes a pump that must be squeezed to allow urination. While effective, this approach can be cumbersome for some patients.

Today, men have more choices, including the ProACT system — a minimally invasive option that has brought relief to many of Dr. Coddington’s patients.

The ProACT system consists of two small, adjustable silicone balloons that are implanted near the bladder neck, where the prostate was once located. These balloons, which are connected to small ports under the skin, can be easily adjusted in the doctor’s office to provide the right amount of support, helping to prevent leaks.

“ProACT is going to make a lot of men a lot happier,” Dr. Coddington says.

Looking to the Future
With these advances in treatment, a prostate cancer diagnosis doesn’t have to be as daunting as it once was.

“When you see a urologist to discuss options, be aware there are new developments in this field,” Dr. Coddington says. “Oncologists work to give you quantity of life, and we give quality of life.”

To Test or Not to Test

Prostate cancer is the second-leading cause of cancer death in men, but early detection can make a significant difference. The five-year survival rate for prostate cancer found early is 99.8%, according to the CDC.

The first step in prostate cancer screening is a simple blood test called the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test. Thanks to advances in biomarker testing, today’s methods are better at identifying aggressive cancers, reducing the risk of unnecessary treatment.

“We’ve come a long way,” says Nathaniel Coddington, MD, a functional reconstructive urologist with AdventHealth Medical Group. “We’re much better at treating men who need to be treated and not treating those who don’t.”

When to consider screening:

• Average risk: Begin discussing screening at age 50.
• Higher risk: Start at age 45 if you are Black or have a family history of prostate cancer diagnosed before age 65.
• Highest risk: Consider screening as early as age 40 if you have multiple family members who have had prostate cancer at an early age.

Are You Ready to Take Control?

Take the first step toward reclaiming your quality of life after prostate cancer surgery. Call AdventHealth Medical Group Urology at DTC to schedule a consultation at Call303-649-3710.