Private MD News

Training program helps men with prostate cancer overcome incontinence

Category: Prostate

For men who have received a positive PSA test and opted to have their entire prostate removed, incontinence may be a frequent problem. While they are likely to be completely cancer free at this point, the side effects of surgery may seriously impact their quality of life.

However, a new study from University of Alabama researchers has found that men may be able to overcome these problems by following a simple behavior management program.

The program involves a set of pelvic muscle exercises, bladder control strategies and fluid management. After following the guidelines for a period of eight weeks, 208 men who experienced incontinence for a year or more after prostatectomy were able to decrease the number of accidents they had by an average of 55 percent.

The researchers wrote in their report that this could be an effective strategy for alleviating one of the most serious side effects of prostatectomy. Additionally, given the fact that the program is so simple to follow, it could have a major impact for many men.