Description
For many men, stress urinary incontinence can be one of the most devastating side effects of prostate cancer treatment. The daily struggle with leakage and dependence on pads or incontinence supplies can severely impact quality of life. In this video, Dr. Brian Langford, reconstructive urologist at UAMS Health, explains how surgical options such as slings and artificial urinary sphincters can dramatically reduce incontinence and help men regain confidence and independence. At UAMS Health, prostate cancer care is delivered through a team-based approach—with expert urologic oncologists, reconstructive specialists, and survivorship care all under one roof. This collaboration ensures that if complications arise, patients have access to advanced treatment options quickly and seamlessly.
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Transcript
I think one of the most devastating issues that many men face is stress incontinence.
Typically, this occurs as a result of prostate cancer treatment or even procedures for benign prostate conditions. Patients often have significant difficulty holding their urine. They may have to rely on diapers, Depends®, or sometimes even a clamp to manage leakage — and it can be a very difficult and life-altering problem.
I’ve had patients tell me that when they travel, they have to pack one suitcase for their clothes and another just for incontinence supplies. It really affects their confidence and quality of life.
That’s why I’m so passionate about offering surgical treatment options such as slings and artificial urinary sphincters. These procedures can truly give patients their lives back. Instead of using four or five heavy pads or Depends per day, they might only need one light pad — or sometimes none at all.
One of the biggest advantages of coming to UAMS for prostate cancer management is our team-based approach. We have two urologic oncologists who specialize in both surgical and non-surgical management of prostate cancer.
If you experience a complication or side effect from your treatment — such as stress incontinence or severe erectile dysfunction — you’ll also have access to an expert in cancer survivorship who offers treatment options for those issues, all under one roof.
It’s really great to work in an environment where collaboration is so seamless. My colleagues will often call me directly and say, “Hey, I have a patient who needs your services. When can you see them?” And when that happens, I do everything I can to get patients in quickly and discuss the best options for their recovery and quality of life.
