Private MD News

Researchers develop method of assessing risk of sexual side effects in men treated for prostate cancer

Category: Prostate

Men often avoid PSA testing that assesses their risk of developing prostate cancer not because they are afraid of the condition itself, but because they are concerned about the potential for side effects associated with treating the disease.

In order to alleviate some of these concerns, a team of researchers from Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center has developed a method for assessing men's risk of experiencing prostate cancer treatment-related side effects like erectile dysfunction.

In a study involving nearly 2,000 men being treated for prostate cancer, the researchers showed that pretrement sexual function, age, race and body mass index can be used to accurately predict a man's risk of experiencing sexual dysfunction after undergoing a prostatectomy, radiation therapy or hormone therapy.

Given the prevalence of sexual side effects in men treated for prostate cancer, the researchers said assessing the chances of these problems before therapy could give men important peace of mind in addition to giving doctors a chance to design therapeutic options to deal with sexual issues after treatment. This may increase many individuals willingness to seek PSA testing.