How does prostate cancer treatment affect mental health?
Struggling with masculinity and body image is normal after treatment, though many men are able to accept the changes.
The long-term outlook for men diagnosed with prostate cancer continues to improve. About 98% are living for 10 years or more after diagnosis, and the survival rate at 15 years now exceeds 95%. These medical advances, however, have also drawn attention to the mental health challenges many survivors encounter.
Treatment side effects (including erectile dysfunction, incontinence, hot flashes, and fatigue, among others) can impose a psychological toll. Doctors have gotten better at managing these complications, and many men do recover to some degree, yet it's still common for survivors to struggle with loss of masculine self-esteem and changes in body image.
Navigating change
The long-term outlook for men diagnosed with prostate cancer continues to improve. About 98% are living for 10 years or more after diagnosis, and the survival rate at 15 years now exceeds 95%. These medical advances, however, have also drawn attention to the mental health challenges many survivors encounter.
Treatment side effects (including erectile dysfunction, incontinence, hot flashes, and fatigue, among others) can impose a psychological toll. Doctors have gotten better at managing these complications, and many men do recover to some degree, yet it's still common for survivors to struggle with loss of masculine self-esteem and changes in body image.
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