Prostate Cancer Blog for Wives and Partners

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The Prostate Cancer Blog for Wives and Partners lets you know when new information has been added to our site. Anytime a new page is created—or we feel there is something worth noting—it will be posted here.

Archive of older posts

Study: Robotic-assisted Laparoscopic Radical Prostatectomy vs Open Radical Prostatectomy is a Draw

Medicare-age men should not expect fewer adverse effects following robotic-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy, according to a study by Gallagher et al, which was published online first in the Journal of Clinical Oncology. Using 20% of Medicare claims files for August 1, 2008, through December 31, 2008, the study authors sent out a survey to 797 men about 14 months following their surgeries that included self-ratings of problems with continence and sexual function. Of that number, 406 men had robotic-assisted surgery and 220 men had open radical prostatectomy. Robotic-assisted prostatectomy was not associated with greater problems with sexual function, but was associated with a nonsignificant trend toward greater problems with continence. The study authors conclude that risks of problems with continence and sexual function are high after both procedures. The "New" Prostate Cancer Infolink first reported this and provide their excellent analysis here. January 31, 2012.

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MRIs Changed Course of Robotic Surgery

When men undergoing robotic-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy had magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the prostate gland prior to their procedures, it changed the surgeon's decision to use a nerve-sparing technique in 27% of men, according to results from a single-center study, published by McClure, et al in the January 24th online edition of Radiology. January 26, 2012.

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Prostate Cancer Online Sexuality Survey Results Now Available

Dr. Jo-an Baldwin Peters (PhD) just contacted me to let me know that results of her independent online sexuality survey for prostate cancer survivors and their partners (and other helpful articles) are now available online. Dr. Baldwin and her fellow research partners conducted the survey as a follow up to her earlier work on how prostate cancer treatments impinge on the sexuality of both partners. January 21, 2012.

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Prostate Cancer Questions and Answers

This list of common prostate cancer questions and answers makes it easy for you to quickly understand the disease and find key topics you want to learn more about on our site.

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Why Do Couples Stop Using ED Drugs?

Between 15% to 60% of couples stop using oral medications for erectile dysfunction (ED). Moskovic, et al, conducted 155 interviews to determine why couples stop using them in a study that was published in the International Journal of Impotence Research.Thirty-four percent of men said their main reason for stopping usage of ED medication was cost. "Partner issues" from the men's perspective were seldom discussed. For women, however, "partner issues" meant a range of problems from separation to alcohol abuse, lack of communication, lack of confidence, or fear of failure. The authors concluded that women had a different perspective on the reasons for stopping the use of ED medications. January 12, 2012.

Penile Rehabilitation for Erection Problems After Prostate Cancer

Learn what penile rehabilitation is, and why it’s a hot topic in the prostate cancer medical community.

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Hormone Therapy Risks Up For Debate Again

Over the last few years, several studies have suggested that hormone therapy (androgen deprivation therapy) for prostate cancer increases a man's risk of death due to cardiovascular problems. A meta analysis published in the December issue of JAMA, however, states that hormone therapy was not associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular death. Nguyen et al, reviewed the records of 4,141 men from 8 randomized trials (you can read the abstract here. Another study published in Cancer in early December links the development of blood clots in men over age 65 who receive hormone therapy. In this study, Edhaie et al, reviewed the records of 154,000 men with localized prostate cancer. They reported a 56 percent increased risk of blood clots in men being treated with hormone therapy versus those men who did not receive hormone therapy. Read the abstract. December 22, 2011.

Sex After Prostate Cancer Treatment

Sex after prostate cancer treatment may be different than before. Here are some tips that you may want to consider.

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Study: Hormone Therapy Linked to Increased Blood Clots

A study by Ehdaie et al suggests that hormone therapy for prostate cancer may raise the risk of potentially dangerous blood clots, according to a Reuters Health report. Researchers reviewed data from more than 154,000 men with prostate cancer who were age 65 or older. The men who received hormone therapy had double the rate of blood clots in the veins, arteries, or lungs versus the men who did not receive hormone therapy. Fifteen percent of the 58,000-plus men who received hormone therapy developed a blood clot within about 4 years, compared to seven percent of men who did not receive hormone therapy. December 4, 2011.

BBQ Beef Linked to Aggressive Prostate Cancer

Higher intake of well-done grilled or barbequed red meat and ensuing carcinogens could increase the risk of aggressive prostate cancer, according to a study by Punnen et al, published in PloSONE. Eating more ground beef or processed meats were positively associated with aggressive prostate cancer, with ground beef showing the strongest association. Grilled or barbequed meat, especially more well-done meat, were also associated with a higher risk of aggressive prostate cancer. You can read the study here. December 4, 2011.

After Prostate Cancer Diagnosis, Where to Begin

After your loved one's prostate cancer diagnosis, it's important to develop an action plan. But it may be hard to think clearly. Here's how to get started.

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Prostate Cancer Support Groups For Wives and Partners

A list of prostate cancer support groups specifically for wives and partners.

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Study: Radiation Plus Hormone Therapy Improves Survival

Men who added radiation therapy to hormone therapy lived significantly longer than men who had hormone therapy alone, according to results from a study of 1,205 men with locally advanced prostate cancer (cancer that extended outside the surface of the prostate gland, but had not spread further). Medical News Today reports that 74 percent of men were still alive at the seven-year point in the combined radiotherapy plus hormone therapy group, compared with 66 percent in the hormone-only group. You can read the full article here. November 8, 2011.

It is Movember Again!

Movember (the month formerly known as November) is a time when men around the world are being asked to grow a mustache to help raise funds and awareness of men's health, including prostate cancer. You can learn more by visiting their worldwide website page. November 8, 2011.

Support Your Man With Prostate Cancer

Here are some ideas you may want to consider to support your man with prostate cancer.

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