Prostate Cancer surgery can be performed in a number of ways, and there are ways you can prepare that will help you with a faster recovery. With the support of a specially trained nurse, pelvic floor physiotherapist and an exercise physiologist, APC patients learn what they can do to prepare for surgery, and what can be done post-surgery to recover and get back to normal life as quickly as possible.
Patients will also have the option to have individual consultations with a pelvic floor physiotherapist to learn pelvic floor exercises, a nurse to discuss a program of penile rehabilitation, or an exercise physiologist to get prescribed an exercise program.
What happens during prostate cancer surgery? The basics explained.
What happens during prostate cancer surgery? The basics explained.
Bladder leakage after prostate cancer surgery occurs in the majority of men, and has a recovery time of between 6-12 months. A pelvic floor physiotherapist is on site with education and tailormade exercise programs to help you recover faster.
If bladder leakage persists over 12 months after surgery, further assessment may be necessary with your team to plan treatment options including surgery.
You also have access to psychologists at the centre who specialise in supporting patients with prostate cancer related issues.
Surgery side effects and how they can be addressed
Surgery side effects and how they can be addressed
Specialised nurses, urologists and psychologists are on site to discuss treatment options with men and their partners, to restore sexual function.
Hormone therapy can produce side effects like fatigue, muscle and bone loss, cardiovascular disease, weight gain, reduced sexual drive, mood changes and hot flushes. APC GP’s, nurses, exercise physiologists and endocrinologists collaborate to screen patients on hormone therapy for metabolic side effects, monitor weight and blood pressure and develop individual exercise programs to help minimise any side effects.
On hormone therapy men usually experience side effects.
Radiation therapy is commonly used to treat prostate cancer, and can have side effects including bowel or urinary problems, changes in sexual function, skin irritation, tiredness, or infertility. Our team of radiation oncologists, specialised nurses, pelvic floor physiotherapists, exercise physiologists and psychologists are here to help you manage any side effects you might experience from radiation therapy.
At our North Melbourne centre, we offer a range of specialist medical and allied health recovery services for every stage of prostate cancer:
You can access complete treatment and care at the Australian Prostate Centre with a referral from your doctor.
The APC is located in North Melbourne, conveniently across the road from The Royal Melbourne Hospital, and welcomes patients from near and far.
