After being diagnosed with prostate cancer, Nathan Vincent decided to have his prostate removed.

In this candid conversation with reporter Kelly Lucas-Carmody, he shares his journey from diagnosis to recovery, the challenges he faced, and the lessons he learned along the way.

His story is not just about surgery — it’s about resilience, awareness and taking control of your health.

Can you take us back to when you first received your diagnosis and how that felt?

I was completely shocked. After the biopsy, I’d been told everything looked fine, so I felt relieved — until I got the call saying they had actually found cancer.

Being under 50, it was a lot to take in. At the same time, I wasn’t completely unprepared.

I’d already been through it twice before — once with my daughter, who had leukaemia, and again with my dad, who battled prostate cancer.

I had cared for both of them, so I had a clear idea of what lay ahead.

How did you decide that surgery was the right option for you?

It was really a combination of things. I spoke with Sonia, the cancer nurse, and also with staff members whose partners had been through it, which gave me some personal insight.

I did my own research as well, and while I was still weighing up the options, I attended the Blokes’ Biggest Lunch.

Hearing the stories from men who shared their own experiences helped me make up my mind.

In the end, I decided on robotic surgery to have it removed.

What surprised you most about the treatment process?

What surprised me most was the impact of having the prostate removed. My dad never had his taken out, so I didn’t really understand what the side effects would be.

The immediate issues, like sudden incontinence and impotence, really caught me off guard. Even though they were only short-term, it was still quite a shock to go through.

What were the toughest moments during recovery, and how did you push through them?

Apart from the pain, one of the toughest parts was having a catheter bag in for the first 10 days. That was a big adjustment — I’m not good with blood, and there was a lot of it.

On the lighter side, I did appreciate being able to sleep through the night while my wife got up to empty the bag.

I was also much more tired than I expected.

Then came the incontinence training, which was a real eye-opener.

Doing pelvic floor exercises to regain bladder control became a daily routine, and I jokingly started calling it “peehab”.

Did you have to make major lifestyle changes after surgery? If so, which ones helped most?

Not really. The support and aftercare I received through the whole process were excellent, and I’m pretty much back to normal now.

The only real change is that my wife laughs at me because I have to be careful not to laugh too hard — it can still cause a little accident.

How are you doing now? Are you cancer-free, and how has life changed for you since your treatment?

I’m cancer-free, though I still need to have regular checks.

I didn’t realise at first that there’s still a small chance of prostate cancer returning even after the prostate is removed.

So ongoing monitoring is part of life now, but otherwise things feel back to normal.

What do you wish more men knew about prostate health or surgery recovery?

The best thing I found was the information I got from the cancer nurse and from others who had already been through it — it really helped me understand what to expect.

For anyone facing this, I’d say do your own research and don’t rush into decisions.

Each treatment comes with different side effects, and it’s not a small decision, so make sure you have all the facts and feel comfortable with your choice.

I’d also say, don’t overlook your mental health. They offer counselling, and even if you think you don’t need it, I strongly recommend taking it.

Talking to someone is really valuable, no matter what type of cancer you’re dealing with.

And on a lighter note — during one of my counselling sessions, the counsellor accidentally hit the panic button with his knee, and suddenly a bunch of security guards rushed into the room.

At the time it freaked me out, but looking back now, it’s something I can laugh about.

How important has support from family, friends, or medical professionals been throughout this journey?

Family support has been absolutely huge. Their encouragement is so important — not just for making decisions, but also for getting through recovery.

I was very fortunate to have my wife, Rachelle, by my side for everything. Without her and the support of others, I don’t think I would have managed the way I did.

Looking back, how has this experience changed your perspective on life or health priorities?

Unfortunately, my dad was diagnosed too late — he had stage 4 prostate cancer, and by the time it was found, it had spread through his bones and organs.

He went through a lot of pain before he passed.

In my case, I was first diagnosed with stage 2, but after surgery it was upgraded to stage 3.

I still consider myself lucky, because it was caught early enough thanks to regular testing.

That’s why I can’t stress enough how important it is to get checked.

It’s just a simple blood test, no different from bowel screening tests.

Sadly, a close friend of mine is now going through bowel cancer, which really shows the importance of not ignoring symptoms.

If something doesn’t feel right, or if you’re due for a screening, don’t put it off.

Even my son, who’s in his late 20s, is already getting his PSA checked as a precaution.

It’s never too early to take your health seriously.

What advice would you give to someone about to face the same surgery?

Seek advice — you’re not alone in this. Talk to your family, specialists and others who’ve been through it, and do your own research.

Make sure you feel comfortable knowing both the short and long-term effects of whatever decision you make.

And when it comes to “peehab”, there’s no cheating — they use an ultrasound to check that you’re working the right muscles.

I’d also personally recommend robotic surgery, as it offers a quicker recovery time and a lower risk of long-term side effects.

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Saturday, 22nd April 2023

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