Info about the rectal “SpaceOar” for additional protection with radiotherapy.

Hi L

like you, I was interested in the rectal spacer for my husband and did quite a lot of research.  There is quite a lot of info and evidence on the NICE website.  However, NICE has not recommended it for use on the NHS unless administered by suitably qualified practitioners following a set procedure and as part of a clinical trial. There are some NHS hospitals still carrying out trials with it and they are available privately. We were quoted about £6000 last autumn. Our neighbour has been quoted £7000 recently.

I actually wanted my husband to have it done privately but he didn’t want to have it done. Obviously, it was his body and his choice but I was terrified about bowel complications either during and immediately after radiotherapy or in years to come. He has had absolutely no problems with his bowels so far ( radiotherapy completed at the beginning of March this year). 

I have a friend who did have it inserted about 5 years ago) and, likewise, has had no bowel problems.

so, sorry I can’t give you any details of experiences but I hope this might help and that you can find an NHS hospital local to you where you can have it done if you wish. Then you can use the money saved for a super duper holiday to celebrate the end of the radiotherapy

Good luck!

Hi Worried wife,

Thank you for your reply and information it's very helpful. I would really like my partner to have it, well I guess I want him to have everything thats possibly available really.  I now spend so much of my time researching and reading about PC and treatment that when we meet a new consultant they always ask me if I'm medical! which is amusing, I say, "hairdresser "which of course is a renowned source of medical information! 

 I'm pleased to know that your husband hasn't experienced any problems after RT, it's good to hear positive feedback about procedures. Holiday sounds like a great idea too.

Best wishes L

Hi L, like you, I researched, researched and researched!  I think I should have a degree in prostate cancer!  I think knowing the facts gives us some sort of sense of control in what seems like a pretty uncontrollable situation!  I think, too, we, as a society, have moved on from thinking of Drs as gods who know everything, get it right every time and have magic wands they can wave to make everything better. We are more questioning and have more knowledge available, literally at our finger tips, than ever before. Knowledge is power but can also be even more unsettling at times than blind faith in the medical profession!! A double-edged sword.  I am wondering what your other half thinks about the Space Oar? I wanted my husband to have it even if we had to pay for it. He didn’t want it, as I said! I reluctantly accepted his views as it is important that he has some control!

This last week or so, we have consciously made an effort to move on a bit from the shock of the diagnostics, the treatments etc and to try to accept that this is what it is - a new normal, something that has gone wrong to accept but that we have to make the most of our lives while we can. It’s hard to explain but I guess it is yet another of the 7 stages of grief - moving from shock, anger, denial etc to acceptance?  I’m not sure! Obviously, if the PSA doesn’t behave itself we will probably regress!!!

Just some ruminations and delaying tactics with housework building up!

Hi W,W 

I totally agree with everything you say, I also feel I’d have a pretty good chance of passing an exam paper. My other half is keen to have anything that’s available if it has a positive impact.   Because he’s having RT in a large area of the pelvis, we think the SpaceOar could be worth the extra procedure. Though it would be good to get peoples opinions of their experience. 
L