Golf and prostate cancer

Posted by golf2026 @golf2026, Sep 23 6:36pm

Hi, everyone. Brand new to the site. I was just diagnosed was prostate cancer, mostly G7 and benign samples but one G9 biopsy. I wanted to start with something light-hearted. I play a lot of golf and if my condition leads to a radical prostatectomy, will I be able to play golf again without major incontinence risk. My fear is that everytime I would swing to take a shot, I would pee all over my pants (protected with pads of course). Anyone play?

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Well, I just got my PET scan results and some good news: the cancer (Pirads 4, Gle 9) is confined to the prostate. No evidence of metastasis anywhere. My genetic testing Decipher score was 0.82 which is still high risk but we knew that from the GLE 9 rating. I meet with my surgeon tomorrow. Seems to me we just do the RP and watch PSA and if OK, problem solved? Do you think radiation as a precaution is still necessary? Thanks

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Profile picture for bobsyeruncle @bobsyeruncle

@golf2026 I had an RP four years ago (G8, T3a) which interrupted my golf game. I had a catheter in for a couple of weeks but any time I moved there was a sharp twinge where the tube exited the end of my putter (if you know what I mean). I was 98% continent after 4 months, and now wear a thin pad for any dribbles. I think by then I started to swing a club slowly, and then ride along with my golf buddies and do some chipping and putting when we got near a hole. I'm not sure when I was doing full swings, but I had no trouble with leaks.

One year after my RP my PSA rose to .12 so I had 33 zaps of salvage radiation and 6 months of ADT. Despite being stiff and sore from ADT, I tried to golf as much as I could. I'm not a gym rat, so golf was (and is) my physical and mental therapy. It's a social game as well so it forced me to get out and interact and laugh at myself, all the while enjoying the beauty of creation.

To me, golf is not my life but a means to live a quality life.

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@bobsyeruncle Totally agree with "To me, golf is not my life but a means to live a quality life."

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Profile picture for golf2026 @golf2026

Well, I just got my PET scan results and some good news: the cancer (Pirads 4, Gle 9) is confined to the prostate. No evidence of metastasis anywhere. My genetic testing Decipher score was 0.82 which is still high risk but we knew that from the GLE 9 rating. I meet with my surgeon tomorrow. Seems to me we just do the RP and watch PSA and if OK, problem solved? Do you think radiation as a precaution is still necessary? Thanks

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@golf2026
I haven't read all this thread, but from just what you said here I wouldn't be thinking about radiation at this point. I had biopsy with cribriform, decipher .85, called it unfavorable intermediate prostate cancer. PSA 5.3, but hen went down to 4.2. Anyway after PR, they found SVI, which didn't show on PSMA, MRI or biopsy.
Anyway, my suggestion would be to wait and look at the pathology report. My pathology showed up more bad stuff that all the other tests, but still wait and watch PSA and not start radiation. Hopefully you will have a good pathology report.

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Profile picture for Tom @tom86

Hi Jamie,
If I might ask; I am experiencing the same thing currently. How aggressive was your PCa pathology? Mine has shown up after 5 years as well. TYIA
Tom

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@tom86
My Gleason scores were 3+4, my decipher score was .56 which is intermediate. My doubling time was probably close to 1 year? So it took just about 5 years to get my PSA detectable at .128 after Robotic-Prostatectomy.
All the best!

Jamie

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Hi Everyone. My PET scan indicated cancer was confined to prostate so I opted for the RALP. That was completed Tuesday morning. Went well, and I was walking around the hospital the same day and next morning with a walker. Went home Wednesday with only minor swelling in the scrotum. Thursday I walked 2 x 30 min sessions around my driveway and that night the scrotal swelling got worse. It continued to get worse on Friday when you could not even see the head of the penis. Friday at midnight went to the ER to have someone look at it. Since no pain or infection it was just post-surgical swelling but a significant case. It is still swollen today (Sunday) but MAY? be slightly reduced. Feels like carrying a sack of potatoes between my legs which has really reduced my walking. My greatest fear now is that the swelling will not subside by Thursday which is my post-op appt for catheter removal and I will need to keep it in longer. Really don't want that. Could use some encouragement and support with other's experiences. Thanks.

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I played a lot of golf also, less these days due to pelvic pain, I’m still wearing a guard for fairly light incontinence. I have found that I do leak a little bit with each swing. Sucks for sure but is what it is. Considering a device next year but hoping to improve on my own. 59 now.

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Profile picture for golf2026 @golf2026

Hi Everyone. My PET scan indicated cancer was confined to prostate so I opted for the RALP. That was completed Tuesday morning. Went well, and I was walking around the hospital the same day and next morning with a walker. Went home Wednesday with only minor swelling in the scrotum. Thursday I walked 2 x 30 min sessions around my driveway and that night the scrotal swelling got worse. It continued to get worse on Friday when you could not even see the head of the penis. Friday at midnight went to the ER to have someone look at it. Since no pain or infection it was just post-surgical swelling but a significant case. It is still swollen today (Sunday) but MAY? be slightly reduced. Feels like carrying a sack of potatoes between my legs which has really reduced my walking. My greatest fear now is that the swelling will not subside by Thursday which is my post-op appt for catheter removal and I will need to keep it in longer. Really don't want that. Could use some encouragement and support with other's experiences. Thanks.

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@golf2026 Did you inform your surgeon of this? Seems like he/she should be aware.
Phil

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Sorry that you are struggling with this-I had the exact same thing happen to me. I found that lying on my back, placing a pillow under my buttocks, and gently massaging the area about 2-3 times per day worked to move the fluid up towards my abdomen to relieve some pressure. My wife got the idea to buy a simple athletic support (jock strap) helped to support the extra weight. My brother the doctor had the same surgery and occurrence, he said that it takes some time for the lymph channels of the legs and abdomen to re-route the swelling. Mine passed in about 2-3 weeks after the surgery. I tried ice packing it underneath, as I had some rectal pain or pressure while sitting, but that wasn't as effective.

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