Life After Prostate Cancer: Finding Health & Wellness as a Survivor
Surviving prostate cancer is a major milestone that brings different and complicated feelings. While it can be a relief to complete treatment and know that the cancer is gone, you will now have to begin a new chapter.
Life after prostate cancer involves not only ongoing medical follow-up, but also requires the important work of rebuilding physical strength and caring for your mental and emotional well-being.
This article is for prostate cancer survivors in Singapore and beyond, who are navigating what comes next. Whether you’re a few weeks or several years post-treatment, here are practical steps you can take to support your recovery and find wellness in survivorship:
- Commit to Follow-Up Visits With Your Doctor
Even after you have completed treatment, your doctors will still want to monitor your health closely.
The first five years after your treatment ends are particularly vital, as there is a risk of prostate cancer coming back, or recurring, after this period.
Up to 30% of prostate cancer survivors may experience a recurrence, depending on the aggressiveness of the initial cancer and the type of treatment they received.
During your follow-up visits, your doctor will conduct tests and screenings. These may include digital rectal exams (DREs) if your prostate has not been removed, and PSA tests to measure the level of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) in your blood.
Additionally, your follow-up visits are a good time for you to ask questions and bring up any concerns or changes you may be experiencing in your body.
For example, tell your doctor if you have problems sleeping, pain, or any new symptoms such as urinary issues.
Maintaining an open, honest relationship with your medical care team will go a long way towards ensuring your long-term wellness after prostate cancer.
- Managing Physical Side Effects
Everyone reacts differently to prostate cancer treatments, whether it’s chemotherapy, radiation, or surgery. All treatment types can leave lasting physical effects, some of which can persist for years after the cancer is gone.
Some common concerns are:
- Urinary Incontinence
Many men experience some level of urinary leakage after treatment, especially surgery, as it can potentially affect the nerves and muscles around the bladder.
Practising pelvic floor exercises, bladder training, or speaking with a continence specialist can help improve your condition over time.
- Sexual Dysfunctions
Changes in sexual function are common for men during and after prostate cancer treatment. Erectile dysfunction, changes in libido, or altered sensations can profoundly affect your sex life.
However, there are medications, devices, and therapies that can offer support and help you manage your sexual health. Therapy or counselling with your doctor or a sexual health specialist is also an option.
- Fatigue
As with many types of cancer, fatigue can linger long after your treatment ends. Prioritising rest, maintaining gentle physical activity, and managing stress can support recovery and boost energy.
It’s important to be patient with your body and give yourself time to heal. Recognise that while things may not return exactly to how they were before cancer, your body still deserves care and respect.
- Caring for Your Emotional and Mental Well-Being
The psychological impact of cancer often lingers long after physical treatment ends.
Many men may find themselves experiencing anxiety before follow-up appointments, feeling frustrated at the pace of their recovery process, or worrying about the possibility of cancer recurrence.
Furthermore, prostate cancer survivors can also experience depression. This can be a result of significant changes in their life, such as having to stop working or starting to experience sexual dysfunction.
These shifts can make some prostate cancer survivors feel like less of a man, causing them to struggle with their identity or new dynamics in their families and relationships.
Talking about what you’re going through can make a real difference. Opening up to a trusted partner or friend, connecting with a cancer support group in Singapore, or seeking help from a mental health professional can provide relief and perspective.
While physical health issues may feel more urgent, mental well-being is still a vital part of your overall recovery and deserves just as much care and attention.
At International Cancer Specialists (ICS) in Singapore, we consider mental health an integral part of our patients’ holistic treatment. Our counselling services are available to both patients and their families, providing them with the necessary tools and coping strategies to manage their psychological well-being during and after treatment.
- Embracing a Healthier Lifestyle
As a survivor of prostate cancer, making intentional changes to your daily habits can not only support recovery but also reduce the risk of cancer recurrence and other chronic illnesses.
Nutrition & Eating Well
- Eat plenty of colourful fruits and vegetables daily. Broccoli, sweet potatoes, citrus fruits, and berries, in particular, are recommended for their fibre content. A high-fibre diet can reduce the levels of certain hormones that are believed to lead to prostate cancer.
- Other good sources of dietary fibre include whole grain bread, brown rice, nuts, beans, and legumes. If you regularly consume white rice or bread, you can try replacing them with whole grain alternatives.
- Go for lean proteins like fish, skinless chicken breasts, or certain cuts of pork. Cut back on consuming red and processed meats, which have been linked to an increased risk of certain cancers, especially colon cancer.
- Limit your consumption of sugary drinks, refined carbohydrates, and high-fat dairy products, like cheese and ice cream.
Regular Exercise
In addition to being one of the best methods to prevent the recurrence of cancer, physical activity has the added benefits of strengthening bones and muscles, improving circulation, and boosting your mood.
- Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate activity per week, such as brisk walking, cycling, or swimming. You can split this up into 30-minute sessions over five days for a more manageable schedule.
- Be sure to start slowly if you’re new to exercise or still feeling weak from your treatments. Even light daily movement, like stretching, short walks, or doing chores at home, can be beneficial.
- Incorporate strength training a couple of times a week to rebuild muscle and protect bone health. Strength training can not only reduce your chances of fractures and bone problems as you age, but it will also help you avoid injuring yourself when carrying out daily activities, such as walking or carrying heavy objects.
- Consider gentle activities like yoga, tai chi, or pilates to improve balance and flexibility, and support mental health. Tai chi, for instance, is known to help reduce stress and regulate emotions, and can aid in dealing with a low mood or depression.
- Quit smoking if you haven’t already done so. By quitting, you will recover faster from treatment, reduce the severity of side effects, and lower your chances of developing a second cancer in future.
Reminder: Always check in with your healthcare provider before starting a new fitness routine, especially if you’re still healing from prostate cancer treatment.
Good Sleep and Stress Management
Ongoing stress can impact both your physical health and recovery. Likewise, poor sleep can weaken the immune system and affect your mood and energy levels.
- Establish a consistent sleep routine with regular bedtime hours. As far as possible, try to go to sleep and wake up at the same time each day. This will increase your alertness levels throughout the day and make it easier to fall asleep at night.
- Limit caffeine and screen time in the evening, ideally 2 to 3 hours before bedtime. Drinking caffeinated beverages can cause you to fall asleep later and reduce your overall quality of rest.
Meanwhile, devices like smartphones and tablets emit blue light, which can suppress the secretion of melatonin, a hormone that regulates your sleep-wake cycle. Habits like scrolling through your phone in bed can disrupt this cycle, making it harder to fall asleep and stay asleep.
- To promote relaxation throughout the day, practice meditation or deep breathing exercises to stay grounded. You may also engage in hobbies or activities that bring you joy and help you unwind, especially if you had to put them aside during your treatment.
Thriving in Life After Prostate Cancer
Whether you’re adjusting to physical changes, navigating emotional ups and downs, or embracing new health habits, life after prostate cancer is a time to care for yourself in a deeper, more intentional way.
At International Cancer Specialists (ICS), we believe that cancer care goes beyond just treating the disease—it’s about caring for the whole person.
We are here and ready to walk with you beyond treatment. From nutritional support to counselling services, our team is committed to helping you live fully and confidently as a survivor.
Reach out to us today and let us walk with you on your path to healing.
We also offer teleconsultation services so that you can consult our expert oncologists anywhere, anytime.
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