In this episode, Melissa welcomes Richard, a 71-year-old gay man, who shares his journey through prostate cancer diagnosis, treatment, and recovery, offering an honest look into the physical, emotional, and relational changes that come with it from the perspective of a gay man.

Key topics include:

1. Prostate Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment

• Richard’s decision to opt for robotic prostate surgery over radiotherapy and the recovery process that followed.

• Reflections on his initial fears, including concerns about anesthesia, biopsy discomfort, and his catheter experience during recovery.

1. Sexual Rehabilitation and Erectile Health

• Richard discusses using a penis pump and pelvic floor exercises to prevent penis atrophy post-surgery, offering insights into the challenges and humor he’s found in the process.

• Melissa provides recommendations on pump use, hair trimming for comfort, and ways to maintain sexual health as part of recovery.

1. Intimacy and Relationship Adjustments

• Changes in Richard's intimate life with his partner, how they’ve adapted their relationship post-surgery, and exploring different forms of intimacy as they age.

• Open discussions on same-sex relationships and how prostate cancer impacts sexual health and partnership dynamics.

1. Personal Reflections and Family Relationships

• Richard shares his late-in-life coming out journey, the importance of family connections, and maintaining positive relationships with loved ones, including his ex-wife and daughters.

• A heartfelt discussion on cherishing relationships and the importance of support systems through health challenges.

1. Next Steps and Health Management

• Richard’s ongoing regimen: daily use of the penis pump, pelvic floor exercises, upcoming PSA test follow-up, and transitioning from incontinence underwear as his continence improves.

Listen to Richard’s candid account of resilience, adaptation, and love as he navigates life post-prostate cancer.

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Websites:

https://melissahadleybarrett.com Men’s health only

https://rshealth.com.au/ All genders

http://www.menshealthphysiotherapy.com.au/

http://prost.com.au/

Facebook:

https://m.facebook.com/p/Melissa-Hadley-Barrett-100085237672685/

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100085146627814

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/melissahadleybarrett/

https://www.instagram.com/restorativehealth.clinic/

TikTok: @melissahadleybarrett

YouTube: Melissa Hadley Barrett

Linkedin:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissa-hadley-barrett/

TEDX

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IjHj1YTmLoA

Recently Kate and I attended this conference in Brazil. It was 4 days jam packed with information in the sexual health field. People from all over the world attended and from many different professions. Many urologists, sexologists, a few nurse practitioners, occupational therapists and many more. I have attended this conference in previous years and it is always exciting to update skills and think about what we can incorporate into our care to assist more people in their intimate lives and cancer journeys.

Today we are going to discuss the big takeaways we got from this years conference. In future episodes I will discuss some of these topics in more detail but for today is an overview.

I chose to attend mainly presentations around prostate cancer rehabilitation, peyronies disease and relationship issues. Kate attended lots of sessions on women’s health, wellbeing and sexuality.

My top takeaway was that the research shows ‘less positive outcomes for penile rehabilitation when started greater than 6 months following prostate cancer surgery’ so it is my mission this year to get men to come in earlier and not wait to start rehab.

Kates big takeaway is that Ph is not just important in pool water, it is also very important in vagina health.

Listen here to find out more about: Testosterone(having low T may actually increase risk of developing prostate cancer), peyronies, how erectile function drugs are associated with decreasing risk of MACE (major adverse cardiac events), of the 237 reasons people cited for having sex what was the number 1 reason, what is Bocox and many more exciting tit bits.

Following the conference Kate and I also went on a trip for a few days up the Amazon and did lots exciting things including piranha fishing so we tell you the highlights of this too and recommend you put this on your bucket list.

If you would like to read the paper that discusses testosterone and prostate cancer this, is it: Prostate safety events during testosterone replacement therapy in men with hypogonadism: A randomised clinical trial. December 2023 JAMA Network Open 6(12):e2348692, DOI:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.48692

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Websites:

https://melissahadleybarrett.com Men’s health only

https://rshealth.com.au/ All genders

http://www.menshealthphysiotherapy.com.au/

http://prost.com.au/

Facebook:

https://m.facebook.com/p/Melissa-Hadley-Barrett-100085237672685/

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100085146627814

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/melissahadleybarrett/

https://www.instagram.com/restorativehealth.clinic/

TikTok: @melissahadleybarrett

YouTube: Melissa Hadley Barrett

Linkedin:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissa-hadley-barrett/

TEDX

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IjHj1YTmLoA

This episode on The Penis Project we are excited to interview Dr. Declan Murphy and Dr. Renu Eapen, both who have a wonderful podcast called GU CAST. In this episode we will discuss advanced prostate cancer among many other topics, such as:

- PSA anxiety is a very real feeling that many men and their families feel when waiting for PSA results.

- What a rise in PSA means and why you don’t need to panic and why you shouldn’t compare your result with your mates.

- Bust some PSA myths, plus what to do when it rises and when to be concerned.

- What is new in prostate cancer diagnosis and treatments in the future.

- What is Theranostics and how this could be a big thing in the future of prostate cancer treatment.

We also discuss the big one ADT treatment (testosterone lowering) what, when, how and why. Is using testosterone therapy when you have had prostate cancer a definite NO, you may be surprised with the answer.

Find the GU Cast on Instagram gu_cast_podcast this podcast focuses on GU Oncology, all about prostate, kidney, bladder, testis and penile cancer and is hosted by Declan Murphy and Renu Eapen

Website www.gucast.org

----------

Websites:

https://melissahadleybarrett.com Men’s health only

https://rshealth.com.au/ All genders

http://www.menshealthphysiotherapy.com.au/

http://prost.com.au/

Facebook:

https://m.facebook.com/p/Melissa-Hadley-Barrett-100085237672685/

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100085146627814

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/melissahadleybarrett/

https://www.instagram.com/restorativehealth.clinic/

TikTok: @melissahadleybarrett

YouTube: Melissa Hadley Barrett

Linkedin:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissa-hadley-barrett/

TEDX

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IjHj1YTmLoA