Spare Parts

With 2.9 million survivors living with prostate cancer in the United States alone, men need to know how important it is to personally understand if their cancer needs treatment.  If their cancer does need treatment, it’s important to know what side-effects come with each treatment choice, and what options are available for recovering function after treatment.  Spare parts is a play on words. It can mean spare as in to save things like erectile function and continence, the loss of one or both being common side-effects from treating prostate cancer with surgery or radiation.  It can also refer to “spare parts” as in replacement parts, or options for recovering from these side-effects if, in fact, treatment is necessary.

Former North Carolina (NC) Senator Eddie Goodall Advocates for Men to Talk to Each Other About Prostate Cancer

Patient Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) Evidence Updates: Prostate Cancer Treatments and Quality of Life (QOL)

• For patients (pdf)
• For medical professionals (pdf)

Tools for Talking to your Urologist about Symptoms and Side-Effects Associated with Prostate Cancer:

• Sexual Health Inventory for Men (SHIM)
• American Urological Association Symptom Score (AUASS)​​

Options to Consider: Continence
Kegel Exercises and Biofeedback Therapy
Absorbent Products
Penile Clamps
Penile Catheters
Bulking Agents
Surgical Options
-Male Sling
-Artificial Urinary Sphincter

Options to Consider: Sexual Function
Oral Prescriptions
Vacuum Erectile Device (VED)
​Intravenous  Injection Therapy
Suppository
Penile Implant