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Two Journeys,
One Message of Hope
Life after prostate cancer and the hidden struggle with ED
When you hear the words “prostate cancer”, most people immediately think of surgery, radiation, and survival rates. What often doesn’t get talked about—at least not openly—is what happens after treatment. For many men, beating prostate cancer is just the beginning of a whole new challenge: living with the side effects.
One of the most common, and most devastating, is erectile dysfunction (ED) after prostate cancer treatment. And yet, despite how common it is, many men suffer in silence.
To bring light to this reality, we spoke with two men—Bob and Tom—who faced prostate cancer, chose different treatment paths, and now embrace the ways those decisions have shaped their health, relationships, and sense of self. Their stories are different, but they share a powerful message: you don’t have to live in silence, and you don’t have to give up on intimacy.
Penile Implant after Radiation for Prostate Cancer – Bob’s Story:
“Radiation saved my life,
but ED changed it.”
Bob
Prostate cancer survivor & Titan® penile implant recipient
Bob’s journey started like it does for so many men: a high PSA score at a routine check-up. That number—small on paper, but enormous in implication—led him down a path of scans, consultations, and finally, a treatment decision.
“I opted for radiation,” Bob explained. “At the time, it felt like the right choice—less invasive, less immediate disruption to my life.”
Radiation therapy is a common and effective treatment for prostate cancer, but like surgery, it comes with risks. One of the biggest is damage to the nerves and blood vessels that control erections. For Bob, that risk became reality.
“At first, I thought maybe things would bounce back,” he said. “But after a while, it was clear—ED was here to stay. And I hadn’t fully realized what that meant until then.”
Erectile dysfunction after prostate cancer treatment isn’t just about sex. It’s about identity, confidence, and relationships. “You start questioning yourself,” Bob admitted. “Am I less of a man? Is my partner going to look at me differently? It was always in the back of my mind.”
For many men, the silence around ED makes the struggle even harder. “Nobody talks about it. Your doctors might mention it in passing, but you don’t realize how much it’s going to affect your life until you’re living it.”
But Bob’s story didn’t end with loss of intimacy. After experimenting with various ED treatments, he decided to move forward with a penile implant. “It gave me back control. It gave me back confidence. Honestly, it gave me back an important part of my life.”
Penile Implant after Prostate Removal – Tom’s Story:
“Surgery cured me,
but it came with a cost.”
Tom
Prostate cancer survivor & Titan® penile implant recipient
Tom took a different route: a radical prostatectomy—surgical removal of the prostate.
“When you hear the word ‘cancer,’ you just want it out,” Tom said. “I thought: let’s get rid of it, get on with life, and not look back.”
For many men, surgery feels decisive. But like radiation, it carries risks, especially to the delicate nerves surrounding the prostate.
“The surgery was successful—the cancer was gone. But ED was immediate,” Tom recalled. “No gradual change, no warning. It was like a part of my life had been switched off overnight.”
At first, Tom tried pills like Viagra™*. “They helped a little, but not enough. And I got frustrated. I felt like a failure in the most private part of my life.”
His turning point came when he started talking with other men who had gone through the same thing. “That’s when I realized: I wasn’t alone. Thousands of men were dealing with the same thing. And there were solutions beyond the pills.”
Tom eventually chose a penile implant as well. “It’s not something you ever picture yourself needing,” he admitted. “But the truth is, it works. It gave me back intimacy with my wife. It gave us back something cancer had taken away.”
The Overlooked Connection: Prostate Cancer and ED
Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer in men worldwide. Thanks to advances in screening and treatment, survival rates are high—over 90% of men diagnosed will live at least 10 years after detection. But survivorship often comes with hidden costs.
ED is one of the most common side effects for prostate cancer treatments. After prostate removal surgery, approximately 47% of patients experience ED and up to 50% can develop it after radiation therapy.
Why? Because the prostate is placed in a challenging part of the male anatomy, surrounded by nerves and blood vessels critical to sexual function. Even the most precise treatment can damage those structures.
The result: a physical condition with deep emotional consequences. Research shows men with ED after prostate cancer often struggle with depression, anxiety, and a decline in quality of life. Partners are affected too, sometimes leading to strain in relationships.
And yet—despite being so common—ED is still rarely talked about openly. This is why stories like Bob’s and Tom’s matter. They highlight the need for prostate cancer survivor ED help to be part of the conversation around survivorship.
Breaking the Silence: Real Solutions Exist
Both Bob and Tom highlight a crucial point: ED after prostate cancer isn’t the end of intimacy. But too often, men aren’t told about the full range of solutions.
Medications like Viagra or Cialis™* are usually the first step, but they don’t work for everyone. Vacuum pumps, injections, and urethral suppositories are other options. And when those don’t work—or when men want a long-term solution—penile implants can be life-changing.
“A lot of guys don’t even know implants exist,” Bob said. “I sure didn’t. But once I learned, it opened up a whole new door.”
Tom agreed. “It’s not something men talk about at the golf course. But it should be. Because it’s an answer. And no man should suffer in silence when there’s an answer.”
Both men agree that their only regret about their penile implant is not getting it sooner.
A Call to Men: Don’t Wait, Don’t Suffer
Prostate cancer awareness often focuses on early detection—and rightly so. Catching cancer early saves lives. But awareness also needs to include life after treatment.
ED is not a personal failure. It’s a medical condition, and it’s common. Most importantly: it’s treatable.
As Bob put it: “Getting cancer was out of my control. Getting my life back wasn’t.”
And Tom’s advice? “Don’t hide. Don’t wait. Talk to your doctor. Talk to your partner. Talk to other men. The sooner you open up, the sooner you find a solution.”
Moving Forward with Integrity, Dignity, and Hope
Prostate cancer changes lives—but it doesn’t have to take away the things that make life worth living. Intimacy, confidence, and connection are still possible.
For men facing prostate cancer, or living with erectile dysfunction after prostate cancer treatment, the message is simple: you are not alone, you are not broken, and there are answers.
As more men like Bob and Tom share their stories, the silence begins to break. And with it, so does the stigma.
Because surviving prostate cancer is just the beginning. Living fully—body, mind, and heart—is the true victory.
™*Third party brands are property of their respective owners.
Find a local implant doctor
If you are ready to talk to a doctor about the possibility of receiving a penile implant after prostate cancer treatment, use our physician directory to find a qualified urologist near you specializing in ED.
PM-40065
Important safety information
Titan® & Titan Touch Inflatable Penile Prosthesis
The Titan Inflatable Penile Prosthesis is a surgically implanted mechanical penile implant intended for the treatment of erectile dysfunction in men. The Titan implant is a 3-piece fluid-filled system manually operated to produce and sustain an erection for sexual intercourse.
Indications
The Titan Inflatable Penile Prosthesis is indicated for male patients with erectile dysfunction who are considered to be candidates for implantation of a penile prosthesis.
Contraindications
The Titan implant is not for use in patients who have one or more of the following conditions: 1) have an active infection, particularly urinary tract or genital infection, 2) are sensitive or allergic to silicone or polyurethane, 3) have ongoing difficulty urinating or emptying the bladder (e.g., bladder outlet obstruction or neurogenic bladder), or 4) unwilling to undergo any further surgery for device revision.
Warnings
Patients should consider the warnings, precautions and potential complications associated with the use of this product, which may include the following: potential for resurgery (note: device is not a lifetime implant). Implantation makes latent natural erections, as well as other interventional treatment options, impossible. Implantation may result in penile shortening, curvature or scarring. Pre-existing abdominal or penile scarring or contracture may make surgical implantation more complicated or impractical. Diabetic, as well as immunocompromised patients, may have an increased risk of infection which could result in permanent damage to tissue/organs. Excessive stresses from rigorous exercise and vigorous masturbation/intercourse could lead to device damage. Certain stresses and pressures (straddle seating, obesity, etc.) could lead to involuntary inflation or deflation. Post-implant penile size, girth and angle can vary based on patient anatomy, implant size, level of inflation, and presence of Peyronie’s disease.
Precautions
Patients with spinal cord injury may have an increased risk of infection. This device may be used to treat erectile dysfunction in the presence of Peyronie’s disease. Although the implant is not visible, depending on the placement (submuscular) the reservoir may be palpable.
Patients should consider the following factors which could lead to increased risk of failure and can be critical to the eventual success of the procedure: ability and willingness of the patient to follow instructions; associated psychological status (e.g., psychogenic erectile dysfunction, inappropriate attitude or motivation); health conditions which hamper sexual activity (such as severe angina) may prevent successful use of this device; manual dexterity problems; and lack sufficient manual dexterity or strength necessary to operate the device.
Impact injuries to the pelvic or abdominal areas (e.g., sports injuries) can result in damage to the implant which may necessitate replacement of the device. Contracture of tissue around the pump can cause unnatural firmness in the scrotum and involuntary inflation or deflation. The device may fail to deflate and/or deflation of the device may be slow or difficult for some patients. Device malfunctions may result in the inability to inflate or deflate the device. Removal of the device without timely reimplantation of a new implant may complicate subsequent reimplantation.
Potential Complications
Adverse events are known to occur with penile protheses procedures and implants; some may require revision surgery or removal of the implant. Adverse events following penile protheses implantation may be new onset (de novo), persistent, worsening, transient, or permanent.
Adverse events may include but are not limited to: inability to pull foreskin back from tip of uncircumcised penis (acquired phimosis); abnormal wound healing/adhesion/scar tissue; bladder storage symptoms/urinary retention; tightening, shortening, deformity or curvature of penis (capsular contracture, induration); discomfort/pain; injury to tissue or organs (perforation/erosion/extrusion) resulting in damage or loss of tissue (necrosis); open tunnel between tissue or organs (fistula); foreign body reaction/allergic reaction/sensitivity; bleeding/hemorrhage or collection of blood or fluid outside of tissue or vessels (hematoma/seroma); hernia; Infection/urinary tract infection; redness or swelling (inflammation/edema); difficult or painful intercourse (dyspareunia/sexual dysfunction); obstruction/occlusion; numbness or decreased sensation (e.g., hypoesthesia); and urinary incontinence. The occurrence of these events may require one or more subsequent surgeries which may or may not always fully correct the complication.
This treatment is prescribed by your physician. Discuss the treatment options with your physician to understand the risks and benefits of the various options to determine if an inflatable penile implant is right for you.
Caution: Federal law (USA) restricts this device to sale by or on the order of a physician.
PM-15451 / Feb 2024
