Prostate Cancer and Urinary Incontinence

Prostate cancer is a significant health concern that affects millions of men worldwide. Apart from the direct impact on physical health, the treatment and management of prostate cancer can also bring about several side effects, including bladder control problems. Incontinence, or the loss of bladder control, can profoundly impact a person’s quality of life. However, advancements in medical technology and product innovation have led to the development of home delivery incontinence supplies that can effectively help manage incontinence symptoms in prostate cancer patients.

In this blog, we will discuss prostate cancer and urinary incontinence after surgery, which can be a possible side effect, and the options available to help manage.

Home delivery incontinence supplies can help manage prostate cancer and bladder control symtoms.

How Home Delivery Incontinence Products Can Help with Prostate Cancer and Bladder Control

The prostate gland is about the size of a walnut and positioned just below the bladder, in front of the rectum, and near the urethra.  As a man ages, the prostate enlarges, causing the urethra to narrow and decrease urine flow. Although this is not a tell-tale sign of prostate cancer, it is a symptom that should not be ignored.

According to the American Cancer Society, prostate cancer is the second most common cancer among men, with various treatment options, including surgery, radiation therapy, hormone therapy, and chemotherapy. These treatments can have varying impacts on bladder control due to their influence on the prostate gland and surrounding tissues.

Prostate cancer and urinary incontinence issues after treatment can manifest in different ways, including stress incontinence (leakage of urine during physical activities), urge incontinence (sudden, intense need to urinate), and overflow incontinence (inability to completely empty the bladder). These issues can be distressing, affecting a patient’s self-esteem, daily activities, and overall well-being.

Home delivery incontinence supplies have emerged as a valuable solution for managing prostate cancer and urinary incontinence. These products are discreet, convenient, and tailored to individual needs, offering incontinence patients a sense of normalcy and empowerment.

These are some ways incontinence products can help men with prostate cancer and urinary incontinence problems:

Variety of Options

Various home delivery incontinence products are available in today’s market, including absorbent pads, disposable briefs, underwear, and even mattress protectors. This variety ensures that patients with prostate cancer and urinary incontinence can choose products that suit their comfort and level of incontinence protection.

Discreetness

Attends Unisex Overnight Underwear can help if you have prostate cancer and incontinenceIncontinence products available through home delivery are designed to be discreet, allowing individuals to maintain their privacy and dignity while managing their symptoms. This aspect is particularly important for those feeling embarrassed or anxious about their condition.

Convenience

Home delivery of incontinence supplies helps eliminate the need for frequent trips to the store to purchase incontinence products. This convenience is especially beneficial for individuals with mobility challenges or limited access to transportation.

Automatic Delivery

Many home delivery services offer customizable automatic delivery subscription plans, ensuring patients with prostate cancer and urinary incontinence receive consistent products based on their usage and preferences. These programs help reduce the stress of running out of supplies unexpectedly.

Improved Quality of Life

By effectively managing prostate cancer and urinary incontinence, individuals can regain their confidence, participate in social activities, and lead a more active lifestyle, improving overall quality of life.

Summing it Up

Prostate cancer and urinary incontinence and the treatment journey can be physically and emotionally challenging for men. Home delivery incontinence supplies offer a practical and dignified solution to help manage these symptoms, allowing individuals to regain control over their lives and embrace a sense of normalcy.

If you or a loved one are dealing with incontinence due to prostate cancer, exploring the options provided by Personally Delivered could be a significant step towards improved comfort and well-being. Always consult with healthcare professionals to determine the most suitable products and management strategies based on individual circumstances.

Best-Selling Men's Incontinence Products

Disclaimer: The information provided in this blog is intended for general informational purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

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How Prostate Cancer Relates to Incontinence

Prostate Cancer Awareness Month takes place in September each year. It is critical for men to schedule screenings with their doctor for early detection, even if there are no symptoms present. Screenings are based on age, family history, health, and risk factors, and early detection can make a difference in treatment and recovery.

We will discuss signs of a prostate problem, ways it can be detected, treatment options, and how to manage the possibility of incontinence after surgery. Incontinence products, catheters, and catheter supplies can all help manage incontinence after prostate surgery. We will provide some details and product options we hope can be helpful.

Signs of a Prostate Problem

man holding his pelvic area in painThere are some signs of a prostate problem, but they do not necessarily mean that you have cancer. Some of the warning signs of a prostate problem that can affect the urinary system and should not be ignored include:

  • Difficulty starting or stopping the flow of urine
  • Feeling a sudden urge to urinate more frequently, especially at night (nocturia)
  • A burning sensation when urinating
  • An interrupted or weak urine stream
  • Inability to completely empty the bladder
  • Blood in the urine or semen
  • Erectile dysfunction
  • Feeling pressure in the rectum
  • Loss of bowel control from pressure on the spinal cord

Prostate Cancer Detection

lab worker holding vile of blood marked as a prostate cancer testCancer of the prostate can be detected early through a digital rectal exam or a blood test that measures the amount of a prostate-specific antigen in the blood (PSA blood test). According to the American Cancer Society, the only way to be sure that a man has this type of cancer is through the prostate biopsy test, where tissue is taken from the prostate and examined under a microscope.

Treatments for Prostate Cancer

If you are diagnosed with prostate cancer, your doctor will devise a treatment plan that may involve several approaches depending on how advanced it is. These can include routine monitoring, hormone therapy, radiation, or surgical removal of the prostate gland (prostatectomy). After radiation or surgery, the two most common side effects men experience are urinary incontinence and erectile dysfunction.

Managing Incontinence After Prostate Surgery

After prostatectomy surgery, a Foley catheter is used to drain urine from the bladder. This indwelling catheter remains in place for approximately two weeks and is attached to a urine drain bag. The hospital will provide catheter supplies such as nighttime urine drain bags for use at home. Once the Foley catheter is removed, most men cannot control the urine sphincter, resulting in urinary leaks. Many men regain the ability to control the urine sphincter within a day or two. However, some men do not recover this control as quickly and remain incontinent for extended periods.

Using Urinary Catheters to Manage Incontinence After Prostate Surgery

One way to manage urinary incontinence is with urinary catheters. There are a variety of catheters and catheter supplies that can help manage urinary incontinence.

Hydrophilic Catheters

Cure Hydrophilic Male length catheter shown in size 14 FrenchHydrophilic catheters have a coating activated by water or saline to allow for smooth insertion and removal of the catheter. Hydrophilic catheters do not require additional lubrication and are an excellent option for home or on the go.

Straight Catheters

Unlike hydrophilic catheters, straight catheters are uncoated and require lubrication before use. Catheter supplies like single-use lubrication packets can be used to lubricate the catheter. Or, there are tubes of lubrication and catheter supplies that come as insertion kits that include all the supplies needed.

Closed System Catheters

Coloplast Self-Cath Closed System KitClosed system catheters allow for a touchless catheterization experience. The entire system is integrated as one piece to include the pre-lubricated or hydrophilic catheter inside its own collection bag. Closed system catheters reduce the risk of urinary tract infections, too. The catheter itself is never touched, and the introducer tip minimizes the risk of pushing pathogens up the urethra.

External or Condom Catheters

Some men may prefer a less invasive approach to manage incontinence after prostate surgery. The external or condom catheter reduces the risk of urinary tract infections, can be more comfortable, and cause less restricted movement. Catheter supplies like a condom catheters are self-adhesive and feature a plug at the end to attach a drain tube to allow urine to pass into a collection bag.

Catheter Insertion Supplies

Catheter supplies such as the Cure Medical K1 and K2 Catheter Insertion Kits provide all the accessories needed for a safe, easy, and sterile catheterization experience. These kits include catheter supplies like gloves, lubricating jelly, an underpad, wipes, and a collection bag.

Drainage and Leg Bags

Bard Infection Control Urine Drain Bag as a medical supply that can help with prostate cancer and incontinence after surgeryUrine drainage bags are used to collect urine from a catheter. These catheter supplies can be attached to the leg with leg bag holders to provide discreetness under clothing. Urine drainage bags are available in various sizes, brands, and styles and are also offered in disposable and reusable options.

Leg Bag Straps and Holders

Catheter straps are catheter supplies that help make the urinary leg bag more comfortable. And, catheter supplies like a urinary leg bag holder omit the use of catheter straps altogether. These types of catheter supplies slip onto the leg and feature a pocket the urine bag slides into, preventing contact between the leg bag and the skin and allowing breathability.

Using Incontinence Products to Manage Incontinence After Prostate Surgery

incontinence products for men with prostate cancer and incontinence after surgeryAnother option for managing incontinence after prostate surgery, aside from catheters and catheter supplies, is with incontinence products. Some of the options include:

Prostate Cancer Support

Support is available if you or a loved one is living with prostate cancer. First, talk to your doctor and then consider some of the options below.

TalkThatTalk – Support resources, checklists, downloadable guides, and more.

Cancer Support Community – Nationwide cancer support organization with all services free of charge.

The Dattoli Foundation – Resources, counseling, and publications on the diagnosis and treatment.

ZERO & UsTOO – An online community for patients offering free health tracking tools, videos, audio, tips, and personalized resources.

If you are experiencing warning signs of a prostate problem, always speak to your doctor about whether screening is right for you. Remember, early detection can make a difference in treatment and recovery.

If you have any questions or would like assistance finding the incontinence products, catheters, or catheter supplies you are looking for, give us a call. We have Product Experts that are knowledgeable, friendly, and ready to help.

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Cancer Screenings: Your Essential Guide

Cancer screenings can help detect cancer in the early stages or before you begin to have symptoms. February is Cancer Prevention Month, and it’s a great time to remind ourselves of the importance of cancer screenings. Detecting cancer early may give you a better chance of surviving and thriving. Keeping up with preventive screenings your doctor recommends is key to catching potential issues such as breast, cervical, prostate, endometrial, and colorectal cancer before they turn into something worse. This month, let’s take a look at the importance of cancer screenings and how they can help us in our fight against this disease.

Who determines when to get screened?

Created in 1984, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) is an independent, volunteer panel of national experts in prevention and evidence-based medicine. The Task Force works to improve all Americans’ health by making evidence-based recommendations about clinical preventive services such as screenings, counseling services, and preventive medications.

Task Force members come from a wide array of medical-related fields. That history of experience includes primary care, internal medicine, family medicine, pediatrics, behavioral health, obstetrics and gynecology, and nursing. This team rigorously reviews existing peer-reviewed evidence to make recommendations for screenings. This process can help primary care clinicians and patients decide whether a preventive service is right for a patient’s needs.

Cancer Screening Guidelines

The following cancer screening guidelines are for people with an average risk for cancer. You may need screenings earlier or more often if you have an increased risk due to your family history. It would be best to speak to your doctor to see what’s right for you.

Breast Cancer Screenings

two women holding pink ribbons showing their support of breast cancer screeningsYearly mammograms are the best way to detect breast cancer’s early stages when it is easier to treat. The USPSTF recommends women get mammograms at the following ages:

Ages 45 to 54: once every year

Ages 55 and older: once every other year

It is important to note that women with a heightened breast cancer risk should ask their doctors about the risks and benefits of an annual MRI and mammogram.

Cervical Cancer Screenings

The Pap test can find abnormal cells in the cervix, which may turn into cancer. The human papillomavirus (HPV) test looks for the virus that can cause these cell changes. The chance of being cured is very high when the Pap tests find cervical cancer early.

The USPSTF recommends women get a Pap test at the following ages:

Ages 21 to 29: once every three years

Ages 30 to 65:

  • once every three years
  • an HPV test once every five years
  • or a Pap test and an HPV test once every five years

Women older than 65: Those with normal screenings and who do not have a high risk for cervical cancer may not need screening.

Colorectal Cancer Screenings

doctor in a lab testing cancer screening samplesThe American Cancer Society (ACS) recommends people with an average risk for colorectal cancer start regular cancer screenings at age 45. Simultaneously, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) advises beginning screening at age 50. Those with an increased risk for colorectal cancer due to family history may need cancer screenings at an earlier age.

Discuss with your doctor which of the following tests are recommended by the USPSTF:

Endometrial Cancer Screenings

anatomy of the female uterus when detecting endometrial cancer in cancer screeningsEndometrial cancer forms in the lining of the uterus. Endometrial cancer is often cured by early detection and surgical removal of the uterus. After reaching menopause, women who have abnormal bleeding or spotting should tell their doctors. Your doctor may order cancer screenings to help detect endometrial cancer.

Prostate Cancer Screenings

When men reach 55 to 69, the USPSTF recommends discussing the potential benefits and risks of prostate cancer screenings with their physicians to help make informed decisions. After the age of 70, the USPSTF advises against men getting screened.

At Personally Delivered, we hope your lifelong health journey never includes a cancer diagnosis. Whatever your age or medical history, maintaining an open and close relationship with your physician will help keep track of your long-term health.

Many of these types of cancers may require the use of catheters, incontinence products, and skin care needs. These may be a temporary need or one that is long-term. We carry a wide array of these home delivery medical supplies and can help you find the ones your doctor recommends that are right for you. Our friendly, knowledgeable, and compassionate Product Experts will help make your purchasing selection as easy as possible.

All recommendations for cancer screenings and more detailed information from the USPSTF can be found directly on their site.

Disclaimer: Important Notice Regarding Medical Advice

The information provided in this blog is intended for general informational purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

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