Radiotherapy: prostate cancer

[Chris Langley]

I'm facing salvage radiotherapy for recurring prostate cancer. The side-effects - potentially some degree of double incontinence - sound so horrendous that I really don't know if I should go ahead. As someone who not only runs but mountain-bikes and skis and mountaineering, would it be the end of those kinds of activities? Has anyone had salvage radiotherapy for recurrent prostate cancer and been able to carry on running afterwards?

Chris Langley

[Derby Tup]

Chris, sorry but cannot help. All the best with the radiotherapy though and welcome to the forum!

[Mike T]

I'm facing salvage radiotherapy for recurring prostate cancer. The side-effects - potentially some degree of double incontinence - sound so horrendous that I really don't know if I should go ahead. As someone who not only runs but mountain-bikes and skis and mountaineering, would it be the end of those kinds of activities? Has anyone had salvage radiotherapy for recurrent prostate cancer and been able to carry on running afterwards?

Chris Langley

Talk to your Radiotherapy Consultant and nail him/her down about the possible side-effects vs the possible benefits. Everybody is different, and anecdotal reports may be of interest, but may be irrelevant to your case.

[Chris Langley]

Hi Mike,

Thanks for your reply. I've grilled my consultant (who isn't a fell-runner!!) and read the scientific literature, so I've got the 'dry' facts and figures about prostate cancer salvage radiotherapy. As you say, different men respond very differently to the radiotherapy, but I would really like to know if there is any man out there who's gone through this and is still able to run? Regular intense sport is essential to the person I am, and I don't know if I could face the radiotherapy if that joy is taken away.

Hope to hear from someone with experience of this.

Chris Langley

[molehill]

This sounds like every mans nightmare, sorry I can't add anything constructive regards treatment - other than good luck and thoughts are with you, hang in there.

[Alexandra]

I have just bought Dean Ornish's book "the Spectrum" because I want to lower my LDL cholesterol. I was surprised to find a research based chapter on the possibility of reversing prostate cancer by diet. Ornish is not an internet crazy but a reputable researcher of many decades. The book is not perfect, but I have been impressed enough to try reducing the fat % in my diet to 15-20%, which is quite hard to do. I'll only know the results in a year's time when I have my next cholesterol test. Maybe worth a look HERE? Very best wishes.

[Hanneke]

Not me personally, I don't have a prostate but a good friend has had what you are going to have to endure. He decided the risk of the side effects was worth it to prolong his life... He came through the Radiotherapy really well and has suffered no long lasting ill efects. He used to be a serious long distance runner, on the road, and kept running after his recovery... but has since stopped running competitively. Largely because of his advancing age and knackered knees though... Thing is though, everyone repsonds differently, but at least here is one example of a very positive outcome!

[Nigel]

I'm no expert either but a guy in my club who was good road runner in his day had radiotherapy for prostate cancer couple of years back and, like Hannekes friend, responded well and, while it took him a while, he is now back running and a regular out with us on the fells now. Something he never contemplated before.

[Chris Langley]

A heartfelt thanks to everyone who has responded, especially Hanneke and Nigel, to my request for information. It makes a huge difference to know about the experiences of people who wish to return to exercise after radiotherapy, in order to weigh the pros and cons of a procedure with the potential for side-effects and their impact on one's life.