Which way to go ,

Was diagnosed at 52 (2022), had RP the same year. I recovered quick, back at work after 4 weeks, and hiking good distances after 8 weeks. I was very fit pre-op. Despite full nerve sparring I suffered ED for a year and it's taken nearly 3 years to get to close where I was before.  However everyone's experience of all the above is different. Why did I choose RP over RT. For one I did not like the idea of taking hormones for potentially a long time. With RP the treatment is quicker and I could get on with life. Second although you are given a choice and left to make up your own mind, my oncology team strongly pushed me towards RP. This is because of my age, potentially I have a long life ahead of me, if the cancer returns then RT can be used as a secondary treatment. The concern being HT used too much can cause damage. That said HT has improved considerably. You should be offered the opportunity to talk to both the Surgery and Oncology teams before make a final decision. 

That is a very good video Adrian has posted. You may also find it helpful to read the 'Tool Kit' provided by this charity as here https://shop.prostatecanceruk.org//our-publications/all-publications/tool-kit?limit=100

PCa is a very individual disease and the response and reaction to treatment of anybody who replies here may be quite different to what you experience. If going for surgery which is more often the preferred option for younger men, I would seek an opinion from your surgeon on whether s/he considers all your cancer can be removed, as if not, you may, like a number of other men, require salvage radiation and thereby have the potential side effect of both types of treatment. Also ask your surgeon if s/he thinks nerve bundles on one or both sides of the Prostate can be preserved, so your chances of Erectile Dysfunction are minimised.

Edited by member 23 Aug 2025 at 13:03  | Reason: to highlight link