Support services - urological cancers

If you are going to have a robotic prostatectomy, please watch our video to help you prepare for your surgery and recovery.

In this video you will learn:

• how to perform pelvic floor exercises before your surgery
• what the surgery involves
• what to expect during your hospital stay
• tips for managing your recovery at home

We offer several support groups for people living with urological cancers:

• penile and urethral cancer support group
• bladder cancer support group
• prostate cancer support group

Each group provides a safe space to share experiences, ask questions and connect with others who understand what you may be going through.

You can find more details about each group – including dates, times and how to book – on the Support and Information Service web page.

We offer support for men who still have urinary leakage three months after surgery.

At your first appointment with one of our continence nurse specialists, they will:

• talk to you about your symptoms and how they affect your daily life
• ask you to complete some simple questionnaires
• sometimes suggest a 24-hour pad weight test to gather more information about your symptoms
• guide you through pelvic floor muscle exercises
• discuss whether medication may be useful for you
• share advice and information about products that can make managing incontinence easier. You can also visit the Continence Product Advisor website* to find out more. 

You will also have a follow-up appointment to review your progress.

If leakage continues, we may recommend further tests between 9 and 12 months after surgery, such as video urodynamics. If you’d like to know more about this test, please ask the team caring for you. You can also find information on the British Association of Urological Surgeons website.

Your doctor will explain your test results at your 12-month review. They will also talk to you about other treatment options that may help manage your urinary leakage.

* We cannot accept responsibility for information or advice provided on the Continence Product Advisory website. Signposting to it does not mean we endorse any of the products featured there.

Problems with erections are common after pelvic cancer treatment. This can happen after bladder, prostate or rectal surgery if the nerves that control erections are damaged. We understand this can affect your quality of life and your relationships. The good news is that treatment is available and can help you have sex again.

Our Erectile Dysfunction Service is the largest in Europe and offers the full range of modern treatments.

After your assessment and tests, we may recommend:

• oral tablets such as Viagra or Cialis
• intra-urethral cream or pellets, usually alprostadil
• penile injections, such as alprostadil or aviptadil with phentolamine
• vacuum erection devices (VED)
• psychosexual counselling (GP to arrange)
• penile prosthesis surgery (malleable or inflatable penile implant)

If you would like to know more about these treatments, please speak to the team caring for you. You can also find more information on the British Association of Urological Surgeons website.

All treatments are available on the NHS at our hospital. You will need a referral from your hospital team or your GP.

We can offer penile reconstruction, also called phalloplasty, for people who have had part or all of the penis removed (penectomy or partial penectomy). This surgery may be an option if there is not enough length left to pee while standing or to have sex.

Phalloplasty aims to create a new penis (called a neophallus). The goal is for the new penis to look natural, have sensation, allow peeing while standing, and make sexual activity possible.

This is a complex surgery and is usually done in several steps (often two to three separate operations):

• Stage 1: Creating the new penis, sometimes including the urine passage (urethra).
• Stage 2: Shaping the head of the penis (called glans sculpting).
• Stage 3: Inserting a device to allow erections (a penile implant).

Our team of clinical nurse specialists (CNSs) is here to support you if you need a urinary diversion. A urinary diversion is a type of surgery that creates a new way for you to pass urine after your bladder has been removed.

We will:

• guide you through every step of the process
• explain what to expect before and after your surgery
• show you how to care for your urinary diversion at home
• give you practical tips to help you feel more confident and independent

When you are ready, we will discharge you to your local healthcare services so your care continues smoothly.

The UCLH Macmillan Support and Information Service is for anyone affected by cancer. Whether you’re a patient, family member, friend or carer, our NHS team is here for you at any stage of your care pathway – from diagnosis, throughout treatment and beyond.

Visit the Support and Information Service web pages to find out more about:

• the type of support we provide, including financial and diet advice
• events, workshops and support groups we offer and how to book
• health and wellbeing resources on a range of topics, such as being active, managing fatigue, and work and cancer
• support and resources on living well after treatment
• other sources of support and information

Cancer diagnosis affects many aspects of life – both for a patient and their loved ones.

Psychological care is highly effective in helping patients deal with the diagnosis as well as physical and emotional side effects of cancer.

Our psychologists and counsellors are here to help you deal with the emotional side effects of cancer and provide information, support and practical help. Based on your assessment, they will offer you a range of therapy types, such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), mindfulness-based therapy, narrative therapy, existential therapy, systemic therapy, specialised cancer-related interventions and counselling.

You will be offered a referral by your clinical team at the point of diagnosis, but specialist staff within the Macmillan Support and Information Service can also refer you

If you are receiving treatment for cancer, you are entitled to free NHS prescriptions. To claim your free prescriptions, you will need to apply for an exemption certificate.

Please visit our page about the free NHS prescriptions to find out more.

A Holistic Needs Assessment (HNA) is a conversion between you and a member of your healthcare team. It gives you a chance to talk about your needs, worries and any challenges you may be facing. Together, we can explore what matters most to you and find the right support to help you through your care and recovery. 

Visit our page about Holistic Needs Assessment (HNA) to find out more.

Prehabilitation, also called prehab, means preparing for cancer treatment in the time before it begins. It is a programme of advice and support that focuses on three key areas of your health:

• eating well to give your body the right fuel
• staying active to build strength and stamina
• looking after your mental health to manage stress and improve sleep

Taking care of your wellbeing can make a real difference. Prehab may help you:

• reduce some side effects of treatment
• recover more quickly afterwards
• feel stronger, both physically and emotionally

These steps can help you feel more prepared and more in control as you go through treatment.

Visit our Prehabilitation web page to find out more.