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I had prostate cancer diagnosed last year and posted a note here because I had difficulty deciding which treatment to go with. I was offered surgery and radio treatment of various kinds. I was lucky in that it had been diagnosed before becoming a problem. I had no symptoms. It showed up on a PSA blood test and then was put forward for biopsy. The results showed a Gleason scale rating of 7 with 2 out of 6 on one side and 5 out of 6 on the other. I pondered long and hard and asked here for help which produced no suggestions and no help. Look at the lists of posts with number of hits reading and then number of answers to a number of different cancers. Men with cancer want answers but are not prepared to talk. There were a number of things worrying me. First that I would lose my ability to have erections and a normal sex life after and second that I would lose control of my bladder and worse case scenario my bowel as well. It would have been my second cancer operation. 5 years ago I had a kidney removed at St Vincents. I saw the same consultant and team this time and had great confidence in them. They told me that they could make no promises as to the after and side effects of the operation. This was hard. The other consultant also said the same. The crucial piece of information that decided me was that with surgery all the damage, side effects and after effects of the op would be up front and be there when I woke up and that would be the worse it could be. There after it could only get better. And it did. With radio therapy in all the different options the effects are not apparent until sometime later and cannot be measured before. You have only to wait and see what developes later. This can take up to a year or more. The initial effects apart from the inconvenience of attending the clinics regularly over maybe a 6 week period are limited. After the end of their treatments you might feel great and cured with no ill effects. They can arrive later. The other crucial information I gleaned was that with radio therapy if the cancer came back there was nothing a surgeon can do because of too much soft tissue damage to the area This would leave only chemo. Whereas with surgery all three options are still there. More surgery, chemo and radio. I chose surgery and am delighted with the results. Because of the location of the tumour all the prostate had to be removed including the nerves controlling erections. I followed advice and did lots of pelvic floor exercises before and after and am convinced it did a lot of good. I still do them once a week for couple of minutes. I take viagra now and things are almost normal again with sex. Not quite but hey I don't have cancer anymore. I have no problems with incontinence in the bladder or bowel. This took maybe 5 weeks to come back but it did. Positive thinking and exercises worked. I hope this helps someone out there not able to make up their minds. I know none of us have the same problems and lives to lead and in other circumstances I might have chosen differently. I am 65 now with lots more life to live. Good luck.

The marathon continues, but I can't believe I only have 1 to go. So to all those starting off- it us a rocky road, and it does get a bit harder with each blast, but there are good times too, and the finish line gets closer all the time!!! Only 1 more.......

[color=#8000FF:b7sy0so4]Hi all....another question. Had 4 x AC then 12 x Taxol chemotherapy. Finished a few weeks now and in middle of radiotherapy. Had menopause symptoms big time with moods, hot flushes etc. On Saturday,Sunday however, I felt very premenstrual and lo and behold it was that. I've been told periods can return but then when I go on Tomexifen in another few weeks I'll probably go back to menopause again????? The joys![/color:b7sy0so4]

Found out yesterday that I won't be needing chemo so I can ask for my reconstruction referral to be out in. After research I'd really like the diep reconstruction if I was a candidate for it. Can anyone tell me please where they got theirs done and by whom. I know they do it in Beaumont but is it done elsewhere? If anyone has some recommendations about their own reconstruction diep or not I'd also love to hear them. One last thing, did u have it done on the public or private system? I have health insurance but they won't tell me if its covered without a procedure code. Anyone have theirs done using their health ins or is it even covered? Thanks xx

Hi Ladies So sorry have not been on for AGES!!!! last time I think I posted was when had finished final chemo. Due mascetomy on Tuesday week in Vinnies. Just wanted to let you know if any ladies are interested am having a post chemo booze up this Saturday in the Goat Grill in Goatstown will be a good crowd and having a DJ to celebrate getting this far. If any of you around and would like to come please feel free. I will be back soon to read all new posts life has been hectic! Dee XX

Hi, not the worse part of chemo but I am already dying to taste food properly again and am only on day 10 of first cycle. Would be something to look forward to next weekend if normal taste resumed before cycle no 2?. What normally happens during each cycle or does metallic taste laste for all the treatment period? And any top tips for dealing with it please ? Thanks LL?

Hi All. My Uncle was diagnosed with Non small cell lung cancer 3.5 years ago. It was caught early and from what we understand successfully removed. He has 6 monthly check ups and has been doing well. Sadly we lost my Aunt to Breast Cancer in May. Since then he has recently had a CT scan (although we don't know why because he is very private and is also on his own) followed by a consultation where they have said that they want him to go for a biopsy because they have spotted something on the bottom of the left lung. There was mention in the past of a shadow on his lung but this was put down to a previous bout of pneumonia. What are the chances we are looking at a re-occurrence of cancer here? He went back smoking about 4-5 weeks after his surgery. He said that they said it was not connected to the cancer but because he is quite deaf and doesn't really grasp what he is being told, we are wondering if he has heard right - I mean, why else would they want to do a biopsy again?

Hello everybody, I finished treatment for stage 2b cervical cancer in June 2017. I did quite well for the first six months and then began to experience some mild stomach/bowel issues. In the last six months these issues disimproved. Four weeks ago I experience what Initiall I thought was a case of food poisining. As the symptoms did not clear up after a week I went to my GP who thought I may have had a stomach infection and prescribed antibiotics. These seemed to work initially however after 3 days of normal eating my symptoms became worse and I developed severe constant stomach pain. I am now in hospital having lost 2 stone and after various scans and procedures have been diagnosed with chronic radiation Coilitis/enteritis. The problem I now have is with the exception of my radiotherapy consultant the other hospital consultants are saying they don't have much experience (apart from the treatment of the symptoms) in the treatment of the condition. I would really like to hear about the experiences of others diagnosed with this condition and receive info on consultants that are experienced in its treatment. Thank you.

Hi, I'm just wondering if anyone on Tamoxifen is experiencing severe vaginal dryness & very painful intercourse as a result of? I had chemotherapy and radiotherapy but I'm sure this must be as a result of the Tamox. :( I've tried replens & ky lubricant but no change, it's just so cruel! Constant daily reminders :(

Today I was told I have cancer. I’m 33 and I’m a single parent to my 14 year old daughter. I’ve always been fit, eat healthy most of the time, don’t smoke or drink. I had been back and forward to my gp for a year with irregular bleeding pain and a lump. I was never examined he just wrote off to the local gynacology department. It was only after a recent smear test with a different practice that I asked the lady to check the lump and she referred me to a colposcopy clinic. The cancer on the cervix has spread to the vagina. I will be admitted to hospital tomorrow for scans to see has it spread any further. I’m absolutely gutted. I haven’t spoken to my daughter yet about it, I know I will have to but the thought of doing it breaks my heart. I fear I’m going to die. Why was I left so long?