Michael's Story

Read Michael's responses to different treatments he has had and watch him answer the following questions about himself and his chemotherapy:

Can you tell us your first name and briefly, tell us a little about yourself?
When were you diagnosed with prostate cancer and what was the diagnosis?
What stage was your cancer when you were diagnosed?
What treatment(s) did you have and when?
Did you have any side effects from this treatment?
How did this treatment affect your life the most?
Do you have any tips or advice that may help other people who are living with the same side effects from this treatment?
Do you have any tips or advice that might help others who are thinking about having the same treatment as you?
If you could go back in time, would you choose to have the same treatment?

Ethnicity

Black British

Age

50-59

Work

Manual work

Sexual Orientation

Straight

Geography

South West

Relationship status

Married/In a Civil Partnership

Listen

Hormone Therapy (injections)

Tips and advice for any sexual side effects of treatment

Asking more about the side effects, and what is in place if you have a lower libido, especially changes in physical appearance. Recommend to ask more questions as it may take some time for the side effects to develop.

Tips and advice for any physical side effects of treatment

Talk to the GP as they might be able to give you something to resolve it. e.g. the use of sleeping tablets for lack of sleep triggered by the tablets. Talk to your partner and family about this, and take them through the journey, as sometimes they just expect you to "be you" . Communication with loved ones and support services is important. Seek advice from local charity groups e.g. Can Survive UK, and Maggie centre. Get counselling as your body is going through trauma and you don't know how to deal with it.

Tips and advice for any mental and emotional side effects of treatment

Do the things you like to do. e.g. I am a musician, so I spend time in music, and it helps alleviate these emotional side effects. Continue to do the things you enjoyed doing before cancer because it keeps you going.

How this treatment impacted my life the most

Apart from helping to keep me alive, it has robbed me of energy and the man I used to be. I feel blessed due to my faith but I feel it has had an overall knock on effect on my mental wellbeing- I feel disabled and not at the top of my game.

If I had to do it all over again, would I choose the same treatment?

Yes

Why did I give this answer?

There was no other treatment option given to me , no other alternative so yes I would have it again

Chemotherapy

Tips and advice for any physical side effects of treatment

Communication is important, and it's vital to speak to local support groups and GP. Inform friends and family about your feelings and being honest. Seeking out counselling is very important too, especially about long-term effects.

Tips and advice for any mental and emotional side effects of treatment

Finding things to focus on, things that will help to distract you and give you hope. Start a new hobby/explore your interests more.

How this treatment impacted my life the most

I was not able to do the things I usually was able to do, and changed my daily living. It was difficult engaging in things that would normally keep me interested e.g. cooking was affected due to the smells of food. I was not going out and wanting to be seen as it was physically obvious I was on a cancer treatment.

If I had to do it all over again, would I choose the same treatment?

Why did I give this answer?

If there were an alternative, I would prefer that. I was being informed and not always given options.

Hormone Therapy (tablets)

Tips and advice for any physical side effects of treatment

Communication is vital, disclose information with the GP and loved ones

Tips and advice for any mental and emotional side effects of treatment

Keeping things that would remind you of yourself, watching your diet on a practical level and exercising more to help restore body image

How this treatment impacted my life the most

The requirement to take the tablets every single day, lack of sleep and hot sweats - this changes everything.

If I had to do it all over again, would I choose the same treatment?

Why did I give this answer?

If there was an alternative with less side effects, I will definitely have considered it but as it stands I am on the treatment for life.

Michael's Story

Hormone Therapy (injections)

Tips and advice for any sexual side effects of treatment

Tips and advice for any physical side effects of treatment

Tips and advice for any mental and emotional side effects of treatment

How this treatment impacted my life the most

If I had to do it all over again, would I choose the same treatment?

Why did I give this answer?

Chemotherapy

Tips and advice for any physical side effects of treatment

Tips and advice for any mental and emotional side effects of treatment

How this treatment impacted my life the most

If I had to do it all over again, would I choose the same treatment?

Why did I give this answer?

Hormone Therapy (tablets)

Tips and advice for any physical side effects of treatment

Tips and advice for any mental and emotional side effects of treatment

How this treatment impacted my life the most

If I had to do it all over again, would I choose the same treatment?

Why did I give this answer?

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