Study to Predict Side Effects of Prostate Cancer Treatment

New Study Helps Predict Side Effects from Prostate Cancer Treatment

Doctors will be able to give men about to undergo treatment for prostate cancer a clearer idea of how their erectile function will be affected by the procedure according to the authors of a study published in the Journal of American Medical Association[i].

The study provides calculations to help determine individual risk of erectile dysfunction after three common types of treatment including surgery and radiation.

"This is an important step forward and should greatly assist the 20,000 Australian and New Zealand men diagnosed with this disease each year," says the President of the Urological Society of Australia and New Zealand, Dr Stephen Ruthven.

"Until now we have not had an accurate way to give men accurate information about their individual risk of side effects," says Dr Ruthven.

"Understandably, this is always at the back of a man's mind ahead of treatment and for some men, the side-effects of life-saving treatment can affect his quality of life.

"This new study provides formulas which will make predicting the outcome much more certain, and will help inform men of the possible consequences of treatment.

"This way we can better prepare men and their partners for life after surgery."

Researchers used data from more than 1000 men treated for prostate cancer across the United States with participants answering questions about their sex life before and after treatment. The chance of sexual problems post-treatment varied depending on a range of factors such as age, weight, prior sexual function, PSA blood levels and the specific kind of treatment.

"Not all men will be affected, but those who may be, should also be reassured that there are many effective treatments for erectile dysfunction that should be discussed with their urologist both before and after treatment, and that in many cases, the side effects subside over time," said Dr Ruthven.

ENDS

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