Urinary Incontinence & Prostate Cancer
Urinary Incontinence & Prostate Cancer
One in six men in the U.S. will get prostate cancer during his lifetime,1 and treatment of the disease can come with some pretty intrusive side effects. One of the most common is urinary incontinence. 2
Common Prostate Cancer Treatments & Why They Cause Bladder Control Issues 3 |
||
|---|---|---|
| This Treatment: | May Cause… | Because… |
| Prostatectomy Surgery | Stress Urinary Incontinence | The surgery can damage the nerves that control bladder function; in certain cases, parts of the muscles used for bladder control may be removed completely |
| Radiation Therapy | Urge Urinary Incontinence, more frequent urination urges and leakage | The radiation decreases the bladder’s capacity for urine and causes spasms that can push urine out |
The good news? For most men recovering from prostate cancer, bladder control issues are temporary. As your body heals, your bladder control will be restored in the weeks or months following surgery.4
Footnotes:
- American Cancer Society – How Many Men Get Prostate Cancer? Last reviewed 1.22.09
- American Cancer Society – How Many Men Get Prostate Cancer? Last reviewed 1.22.09
- WebMD- Prostate Cancer: Urinary Incontinence Last reviewed 3.17.09
- American Cancer Society – How is Prostate Cancer Treated? Last revised 1.15.09
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