Returning to Work after Prostate Cancer

Paul Guest works at Lendlease construction company. He is also a prostate cancer survivor and a BINS4Blokes supporter. Since being diagnosed with prostate cancer, Paul has advocated for BINS4Blokes and the installation of incontinence product disposal bins at his place of work, to enable males recovering from prostate cancer to transition back to work with greater dignity.

BINS4Blokes.org.au is a Continence Foundation of Australia national advocacy and awareness campaign to promote the installation of incontinence product disposal bins in male public toilets and encourage men to seek help for incontinence.

In Australia, one in five men are likely to be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime. Following removal of the prostate (radical prostatectomy), incontinence rates can be high.

AN ESTIMATED 2.4 MILLION MEN ARE AFFECTED BY INCONTINENCE, 42% ARE UNDER THE AGE OF 50.

Paul understands the impact of living with prostate cancer. His hope is that by raising funds for the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia (PCFA) and sharing his story through social media and local radio, he can make a difference to the lives of other men who have been in his situation.

Paul’s message to anyone living with prostate cancer and incontinence is “Don’t be embarrassed talking about these things, and don’t wait until you are too old to do the stuff you want to do. Once you have been through prostate cancer you will have a very different outlook on life."

Paul acknowledges the challenges associated with recovering from prostate cancer, living with incontinence, and working on a construction site. It’s a tough industry, Paul tells Bridge, and without adequate facilities to dispose of continence products, returning to work can be delayed, stressful and embarrassing.

Work colleagues who have experienced prostate cancer have regularly shared their experiences with Paul, including the challenges associated with managing incontinence and disposing of used continence products. Without adequate facilities, Paul said it’s not uncommon for some men to carry used products in their personal belongings, until the end of their workday.

Paul’s efforts to promote BINS4Blokes has led to a number of incontinence product disposal bins being installed at three construction sites, as well as Lendlease’s national corporate workplaces in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth.

We’re always looking for ways to make our sites and workplaces more inclusive and supportive for our employees and we hope the installation of these disposal bins will enable men recovering from prostate cancer to transition back to work easily and with greater dignity

Impacted by prostate cancer and/or living with incontinence? Call the National Continence Helpline 1800 33 00 66 for free and confidential advice from expert continence nurses (8am-8pm AEST Mon-Fri).