The side effects from radiation treatment for prostate cancer are real. Twelve months after my radiation treatment I had to go to the emergency room because I could not pee. That was seven years ago and now I still have strictures in my urethra and have to use disposable catheters to keep my urethra from becoming totally blocked. There are other issues, like leakage, no bladder sensation and penis pain. Supposedly, the probability for my issues was very small. I keep reminding myself that I am lucky but it has definitely required a big adjustment to my lifestyle.