FAQs

Below you will find some frequently asked questions - and answers!

But don't worry if your question isn't here. Just get in touch - and we'll help!

• I’ve been diagnosed with prostate cancer. When can I join PALS?

  If you’re on surveillance and being monitored, you can join us when you have been diagnosed. But if you have had surgery recently, you must seek guidance from your consultant before returning to exercise. Participant safety is a priority for us, and we will assess you before you join the programme to make sure it’s the right time for you. 

• I’ve never been to an exercise class in my life. My family are encouraging me to join PALS, but I’m not sure it’s for me.

  You’re not alone, don’t worry! And PALS isn’t an exercise class, not in the way that you imagine aerobics or Zumba. There’s no Lycra for starters (well, unless that’s your thing).

  Improving your fitness level and weight control can help you control the after-effects of surgical treatment for prostate cancer. Mentally, it’s also great to lift your mood, and it’s not unusual for men to feel low after diagnosis.

  We’ll introduce you to new activities, that you might want to keep doing when you’ve completed PALS. We’ll also teach you exercises that you can do at home, to help manage any unwelcome outcomes of your diagnosis.

  And we do it all in a way that is relaxed, informal, and we hope will give you a few laughs along the way. We’re happy to talk about what we do, so if you’ve got any questions, why not email us at info@scte-activites.org.uk or give us a call on 0300 365 9791 for a chat.

• I’m fit for my age. I enjoy gardening and go walking – why do I need PALS?

  It’s great that you’re staying active, but as you get older your fitness needs change too. Muscle strength can naturally deteriorate and after treatment for prostate cancer, bone density may lesson too, which means they’re more liable to break in trips and falls. 

  PALS will teach you ways to help maintain both of these, many of which you can build into your day and do at home. So, keep doing what you’re doing – just build in some new bits too.

  
   

• I now suffer from incontinence. I’m embarrassed, but there’s nothing anyone can do. I’ve just got to get on with it.

  You sound like you’re feeling low – and you are not alone in feeling this way after a diagnosis and treatment for prostate cancer. It’s common, and completely understandable.

  We know that when you feel this way, joining something like PALS is probably the last thing you want to do. 

  But we’d like to invite you to look at it another way; what have you got to lose? 

  PALS is research-based, and there’s strong evidence that the exercises we’ll teach you will help with continence issues. 
  We can also teach you how to manage continence problems as best as possible.

  More than all of this, we know that physical activity is a mood-booster, which can help prostate cancer survivors re-engage with day-to-day living and back to doing the things they love.
  Why not give us a call for a friendly chat about PALS and we’ll answer any of your questions. 

  Or, if you haven’t done it already, there’s lots of useful information about prostate cancer on the Prostate Cancer UK website www.prostatecanceruk.org or you can call them and speak to a nurse on 0800 074 8383.

• I’m still working. Does my employer have to give me time off PALS if it’s in working hours?

  Sadly, no they don’t – although we’ve worked with supportive and forward-thinking employers who have done for PALS’ sister-programme, In the Pink.

  You could signpost them to this website or we have produced a letter for employers explaining how the programme will benefit you – and ultimately your workplace. If you would like a copy, please email admin@scte-activities.org.uk

  If you would like to find out more about cancer and your employment rights, Working with Cancer, has lots of great information. https://workingwithcancer.co.uk