MORE THAN HALF of men who experienced prostate cancer suffered worse side-effects as a result of their treatment than they had anticipated after being diagnosed, a new survey has found.

The majority of respondents said they feel that they needed more information and greater levels of support throughout their treatment, including re-diagnosis, pre-treatment and post-treatment stages, RTÉ reports.

The survey, conducted by Millward Brown Lansdowne for the Irish Cancer Society (ICS), involved 200 men who had survived prostate cancer. It found that 98 per cent of men experienced side-effects as a result of their treatment, with more than three-quarters of that group suffering urinary, bowel or sexual side-effects.

The survey, which was released ahead of the ICS’s new Prostate Cancer Patient Charter this November, showed that men were in need of greater emotional support throughout their battles with the disease.

You can call the National Cancer Helpline on Freefone 1800 200 700 (Monday – Thursday 9am – 7pm, Friday 9am – 5pm) if you are concerned by any issue with any cancer

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