Cancer charity discuss Erectile Dysfunction risk after prostate cancer

The UK-based charity Macmillan Cancer Support have spoken on an already long-established subject and one which Medical Specialists Pharmacy have already covered several times – the relationship between prostate cancer and erectile dysfunction (ED).

Prostate cancer develops in the prostate, a gland in the male reproductive system and if left untreated it can kill – claiming roughly 10,000 lives every year in the UK alone.

ED (male impotence) is a common condition whereby a man struggled to achieve or maintain an erection satisfactory for sex and is believed to affect around four in 10 males over the age of 40.

Unfortunately, it is a typical inadvertent side effect not from the cancer itself, but from the resulting treatment methods for prostate cancer such as surgical removal of the entire prostate gland, radiotherapy (external via an external-beam or radioactive seed implants) and hormone therapy.

According to Macmillan, there are around 160,000 men in the UK who are currently being treated for prostate cancer that also suffer from ED, and many patients state as they underwent their cancer treatment it became difficult or even impossible to maintain their erection. In fact, Macmillan Cancer Support officials claim that two out of every three prostate cancer patients complain that their treatment has left them unable to get an erection. Rising cancer rates mean that by the year 2030, the number of cases of ED from such treatment could potentially double.

Professor Jane Maher, chief medical officer of Macmillan Cancer Support, said: “These figures highlight a major issue facing prostate cancer patients after treatment. The sheer volume of men affected shows the need for careful discussions before treatment. Many can be helped through early intervention and better support for men living with or beyond prostate cancer. Macmillan has worked closely with the NHS to develop a number of services to support cancer survivors after treatment. Some are already in place, but it is vital these services are implemented across the UK so men are not left isolated with this issue.”

To help these particular men, Macmillan now want a framework in place for the creation of a psychological support network in addition to specialised nurses –  trained to assist in issues related to ED. The charity also stress that there should be a higher number of physiotherapists being offered to patients.

Coincidentally, it was only a few months ago when a study emerged that suggested the ED medication Viagra could help sexual function for prostate cancer patients, with a daily dose of 50mg sildenafil citrate (Viagra’s active ingredient) being found to have ‘improved overall sexual function, including improved erectile function’ according to its lead author Dr Michael Zelefsky, vice chair for clinical research programs in the department of radiation oncology at Memorial Sloan-Kettering’s Cancer Center.

Dr. Daria Bonanno, a consulting clinical psychologist funded by Macmillan, commented on possible reasons why so many men who suffer with impotence problems still refuse to reach out for help, saying: “For many men with prostate cancer there is a certain stigma attached to talking about erectile dysfunction. Many may feel a sense of loss of masculinity and sadness around the inability to sustain an erection and will be reluctant to seek support. This can often cause them to emotionally isolate themselves from their partners and could make the issues worse.”

Viagra aids sexual function in prostate cancer patients

It was only eight days ago that Medical Specialists Pharmacy explained in detail just how high blood pressure and obesity can contribute to an increased prostate cancer mortality. Prostate cancer is our feature again today with news that the potent erectile dysfunction medication Viagra can drastically improve sexual function in patients both prior to and after their radiation treatment.

Though prostate cancer itself is not linked to the inability to achieve and maintain an erection, the treatments that are available have been connected to male impotence. The three main types of therapy for patients are: Removal of the entire prostate gland by surgery, radiation therapy (external via an external-beam or radioactive seed implants) and hormone therapy. All three can contribute to impotence in a varying degree of severity.

Prostate cancer develops in the prostate, a gland in the male reproductive system. It is the most common cancer diagnosed in men and each year in the UK there are 36,000 men who are diagnosed with prostate cancer. It was over two years ago that it was revealed that Sildenafil (Viagra’s active ingredient) may be used as a method of actually fighting the prostate cancer itself, but now research has been done which shows Viagra is massively beneficial in helping prostate cancer patients maintain healthy and happy sex lives.

The new research has been carried out by a team led by study lead author Dr Michael Zelefsky, vice chair for clinical research programs in the department of radiation oncology at Memorial Sloan-Kettering’s Cancer Center.

The team decided to analyse men suffering with prostate cancer that had not spread who had been treated by an external-beam radiation therapy and/or permanent implantation of radioactive seeds.
Over a six month time period, the participants were either given  a daily dose of 50mg of Viagra, or an ineffective placebo. Patients were asked to answer questionnaires prior to their initial radiation treatment, and again at six, 12 and 24 months after treatment. Questions were targeted as quizzing the men about any possible erectile function, intercourse satisfaction, orgasmic function, sexual desire and overall sexual satisfaction.

Dr Zelefsky commented on the findings of the study, saying: “Men who received the drug showed significantly improved overall sexual function, including improved erectile function. Results like this are important because they demonstrate that drug therapy used before and after radiation treatment may lessen the risk of impotence, a common side effect of radiation therapy. Future studies will be needed to further define the drug’s role and the optimal duration to prevent loss of sexual function after treatment.”

If you are suffering from erectile dysfunction, you do not have to suffer alone and in silence any longer. Medical Specialists Pharmacy offer a wide range of treatments for this condition and back in August  we ran a comparison of Viagra, Cialis and Levitra. This will hopefully equip men with the knowledge they need to understand the differences between the medications.

Viagra and other medications for male impotence such as Cialis or Levitra are obtainable with or without a prescription. If you do not have a prescription, you can undergo a private and confidential online consultation with one of our Doctors and if suitable, they will write you a prescription. This is passed to our in-house Pharmacists, and dispensed and dispatched to you at your home, your place of work, or where ever you choose, discreetly within 24 hours.