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Many men have unrealistic expectations about prostate cancer surgery, study finds

Category: Prostate

Following a positive PSA test for prostate cancer, many men are forced to undergo surgery. While most know that there are certain risks associated with the procedure, many apparently do not understand how serious these side effects can be.

Researchers from the University of Michigan found that just under half of all men who receive surgery for prostate cancer say that the incontinence and sexual side effects that occur after surgery are more than they were expecting.

The team obtained these results after surveying 152 men who underwent surgery to remove prostate cancer. After one year 47 percent had lower urinary function than expected and 44 percent experienced less sexual desire than they thought they would.

Despite these findings, most men do receive appropriate counseling on what to expect after surgery, the researchers said. They speculated that psychological factors may have to do with the degree to which they choose to believe they will be unaffected. Identifying these issues may lead to more effective counseling.