201: From Diagnosis to Data: One Man’s Journey Through Prostate Cancer Recovery

201: From Diagnosis to Data: One Man’s Journey Through Prostate Cancer Recovery

In this episode, Melissa chats with David, who was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2023 and underwent a prostatectomy. David candidly shares his journey—how a routine PSA test led to a life-saving diagnosis, what recovery was really like, and how he’s taken a scientific, data-driven approach to his penile rehabilitation.

With warmth, wit and wisdom, David opens up about his experience with erectile dysfunction (ED), continence concerns, vacuum pump rehab, and using the FirmTech ring to monitor nocturnal erections—describing it as a “FitBit for your dick.” He also talks about the importance of talking openly about men's health and encouraging others, including his sons and mates, to get checked early.

In This Episode, We Cover:

  • Why tracking PSA trends—not just the number—can save lives
  • David’s experience with no symptoms and the surprise diagnosis
  • The emotional toll and stigma around ED and incontinence post-surgery
  • Why using a penile pump isn’t weird—it’s essential rehab
  • Real-world side effects of tablets vs low-dose daily Tadalafil
  • Monitoring erections with FirmTech and what the data can reveal
  • The surprising link between erectile function, heart health, and alcohol
  • The power of talking: How David's openness has led others to get tested
  • Tips for men navigating life post-prostatectomy
  • Why your penis might be the first clue your heart’s in trouble

Key Takeaways:

  • Prostate cancer is often silent—many men have no symptoms at all.
  • Early detection matters. David’s long-term PSA monitoring saved his life.
  • Erectile rehab works best when started early. Pumps, Tadalafil, and data help.
  • Talking saves lives. One conversation might be what pushes someone to get checked.
  • Nocturnal erections are a sign of good health—and you can measure them.
  • FirmTech isn’t just about sex—it's a window into your cardiovascular system.

Expert Insight from Melissa Hadley Barrett:

“As a sexologist and nurse practitioner, I see too many men suffer in silence after prostate cancer. David’s story shows that recovery is possible—with data, determination and a bit of humour. Erectile function is not just about sex—it’s a vital sign of your overall health. So yes, monitoring your function might just save your life.”

Listen & Subscribe:

If you found this episode helpful, don’t forget to subscribe, rate and review! Your feedback helps us spread the word about men’s health and break down stigma. Find us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or your favourite app by searching “The Penis Project Podcast.”

Resources & Links:

  • Book a telehealth consult with our experienced sexual health team at Restorative Health Clinic

Websites:

https://rshealth.com.au/ All genders

https://makehardeasy.com.au

https://melissahadleybarrett.com

http://prost.com.au/

Facebook:

https://m.facebook.com/p/Melissa-Hadley-Barrett-100085237672685/

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100085146627814

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/melissahadleybarrett/

https://www.instagram.com/restorativehealth.clinic/

TikTok: @melissahadleybarrett

YouTube: Melissa Hadley Barrett

Linkedin:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissa-hadley-barrett/

TEDX

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IjHj1YTmLoA

Jaksot(206)

134. Joe’s Prostate CancerJourney

134. Joe’s Prostate CancerJourney

For today’s episode, we have Joe. Joe was diagnosed with Prostate Cancer before his daughter’s wedding. A difficult decision had to be made whether to have his surgery before or after the event. But due to possible Covid restrictions, Joe ultimately chose to have his operation prior. And that he did. Successfully. Despite the operation, he was able to walk his daughter to the altar. From Joe’s perspective, he knows that his Prostate Cancer journey is different from all the others, which is the case for everyone. And his message is this; Don’t be afraid. Take it on. Everything will be fine in the end. To listen to Joe’s story, click the button below. ;) ---------- Websites: https://melissahadleybarrett.com   Men’s health only https://rshealth.com.au/  All genders http://www.menshealthphysiotherapy.com.au/ http://prost.com.au/   Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/p/Melissa-Hadley-Barrett-100085237672685/ https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100085146627814   Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/melissahadleybarrett/ https://www.instagram.com/restorativehealth.clinic/ TikTok: @melissahadleybarrett YouTube: Melissa Hadley Barrett Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissa-hadley-barrett/   Music David Mercy https://open.spotify.com/artist/1HbvnltKu4XbWTmk0kpVB9?si=D1xP5dDVQK-zzNU3rViRWg   Producer Thomas Evans: The SOTA Process https://www.instagram.com/thesotaprocess/ https://open.spotify.com/show/4Jf2IYXRlgfsiqNARsY8fi

2 Touko 202332min

133. Melissa’s Talk on Sexual Dysfunction

133. Melissa’s Talk on Sexual Dysfunction

For this episode, get to hear Melissa as she presents her talk on sexual dysfunction, patient perceptions, and more to health practitioners - another step taken to help bridge the gap for Men’s Health.   This is the last of the series of Melissa’s Talks. So stay tuned for regular programming next week!   To fully enjoy the presentation, feel free to watch the video here. https://youtu.be/OzBXdeWVW68   Full shownotes:  https://thepenisproject.org/133-melissas-talk-on-sexual-dysfunction/ ---------- Websites: https://melissahadleybarrett.com   Men’s health only https://rshealth.com.au/  All genders http://www.menshealthphysiotherapy.com.au/ http://prost.com.au/   Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/p/Melissa-Hadley-Barrett-100085237672685/ https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100085146627814   Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/melissahadleybarrett/ https://www.instagram.com/restorativehealth.clinic/ TikTok: @melissahadleybarrett YouTube: Melissa Hadley Barrett Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissa-hadley-barrett/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rshealth_perth/   Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissa-hadley-barrett/   Music David Mercy https://open.spotify.com/artist/1HbvnltKu4XbWTmk0kpVB9?si=D1xP5dDVQK-zzNU3rViRWg   Producer Thomas Evans: The SOTA Process https://www.instagram.com/thesotaprocess/ https://open.spotify.com/show/4Jf2IYXRlgfsiqNARsY8fi

25 Huhti 202355min

132. Melissa’s Radio Interview

132. Melissa’s Radio Interview

For this episode, get to hear Melissa’s Plenty Valley FM radio interview - a station all the way from Melbourne. This just shows how The Penis Project is reaching men. So thank you to everyone who is spreading the word and sharing information so we can continue bridging the gap in men’s health care. Enjoy listening! ---------- Websites: https://melissahadleybarrett.com   Men’s health only https://rshealth.com.au/  All genders http://www.menshealthphysiotherapy.com.au/ http://prost.com.au/   Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/p/Melissa-Hadley-Barrett-100085237672685/ https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100085146627814   Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/melissahadleybarrett/ https://www.instagram.com/restorativehealth.clinic/ TikTok: @melissahadleybarrett YouTube: Melissa Hadley Barrett Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissa-hadley-barrett/   Music David Mercy https://open.spotify.com/artist/1HbvnltKu4XbWTmk0kpVB9?si=D1xP5dDVQK-zzNU3rViRWg   Producer Thomas Evans: The SOTA Process https://www.instagram.com/thesotaprocess/ https://open.spotify.com/show/4Jf2IYXRlgfsiqNARsY8fi

19 Huhti 202321min

131. Melissa in NZ

131. Melissa in NZ

Last March, Melissa and Dr Jo were invited to speak at a conference in New Zealand. And… you’ll be able to listen to one of those talks, today! For this episode, you’ll get to know more about what Melissa and Dr Jo are doing for Men’s health and how they close, bridge, or fill the gap in Men’s Health. Most especially, how The Penis Project podcast came to be. Have fun listening! And if you’re interested to have Melissa or Dr Jo in an event, please feel free to reach out and we’ll be honored to be your guests. ---------- Websites: https://melissahadleybarrett.com   Men’s health only https://rshealth.com.au/  All genders http://www.menshealthphysiotherapy.com.au/ http://prost.com.au/   Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/p/Melissa-Hadley-Barrett-100085237672685/ https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100085146627814   Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/melissahadleybarrett/ https://www.instagram.com/restorativehealth.clinic/ TikTok: @melissahadleybarrett YouTube: Melissa Hadley Barrett Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissa-hadley-barrett/ Music David Mercy https://open.spotify.com/artist/1HbvnltKu4XbWTmk0kpVB9?si=D1xP5dDVQK-zzNU3rViRWg   Producer Thomas Evans: The SOTA Process https://www.instagram.com/thesotaprocess/ https://open.spotify.com/show/4Jf2IYXRlgfsiqNARsY8fi

12 Huhti 202329min

130. Lonely Nights, A Poem Reading Episode

130. Lonely Nights, A Poem Reading Episode

It’s the Easter Week and we’d love for you to enjoy this poem as you take a break. ;)     This poem is written by Steve Jones, entitled Lonely Nights.   Enjoy!     For anyone who would like to share their poems and want us to read it for you, we are up for it! ;)     Have a great Easter week to those celebrating.   ---------- Websites: https://melissahadleybarrett.com   Men’s health only https://rshealth.com.au/  All genders http://www.menshealthphysiotherapy.com.au/ http://prost.com.au/   Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/p/Melissa-Hadley-Barrett-100085237672685/ https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100085146627814   Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/melissahadleybarrett/ https://www.instagram.com/restorativehealth.clinic/ TikTok: @melissahadleybarrett YouTube: Melissa Hadley Barrett Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissa-hadley-barrett/   Music David Mercy https://open.spotify.com/artist/1HbvnltKu4XbWTmk0kpVB9?si=D1xP5dDVQK-zzNU3rViRWg   Producer Thomas Evans: The SOTA Process https://www.instagram.com/thesotaprocess/ https://open.spotify.com/show/4Jf2IYXRlgfsiqNARsY8fi

5 Huhti 20235min

129. The Universe of Deliciousness, With Author Julia Hollenbery

129. The Universe of Deliciousness, With Author Julia Hollenbery

Get ready for a sultry, pleasurable episode with our guest Julia.   For today’s episode, we speak with Julia. Julia is the author of the book entitled The Healing Power of Pleasure, Seven Medicines for Rediscovering the Innate Joy of Being. This book is a step-by-step guide to creating a happier, more sensual, and conscious life for you.   What you’ll be listening today will be quite extraordinary - by extra we mean a voice so sultry that when you hear it, we’re sure you’ll stop whatever it is you’re doing and just… listen.   It’s an episode about pleasure, body, sex, touch, sizes, life, and sensuality.   From Julia’s words and the episode’s takeaway - tremendous beauty and pleasure is possible.   How? That’s what exactly the episode will be about.   Click the play button below to start listening to Julia, Dr Jo, and Melissa in this sultry-licious episode. A first of its kind. ;)   ---------- Websites: https://melissahadleybarrett.com   Men’s health only https://rshealth.com.au/  All genders http://www.menshealthphysiotherapy.com.au/ http://prost.com.au/   Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/p/Melissa-Hadley-Barrett-100085237672685/ https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100085146627814   Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/melissahadleybarrett/ https://www.instagram.com/restorativehealth.clinic/ TikTok: @melissahadleybarrett YouTube: Melissa Hadley Barrett Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissa-hadley-barrett/   Music David Mercy https://open.spotify.com/artist/1HbvnltKu4XbWTmk0kpVB9?si=D1xP5dDVQK-zzNU3rViRWg   Producer Thomas Evans: The SOTA Process https://www.instagram.com/thesotaprocess/ https://open.spotify.com/show/4Jf2IYXRlgfsiqNARsY8fi

29 Maalis 20231h 9min

128. Pills, Pumps, P Injections Easily Explained, Steve’s Journey Know how these 3 works

128. Pills, Pumps, P Injections Easily Explained, Steve’s Journey Know how these 3 works

For today’s episode, we’ll hear back from Steve - the poet who didn’t know it.   Our previous episode with Steve was about his poems, now, we brought him back to hear about what he did to his penis post-op.   Did he use pills? Pumps? Or penile injections?   Well, he used all three! All powered by his guts and his desire to recover.   You see, Steve, isn’t a patient of Melissa nor Dr Jo’s but through his hard work, belief, and courage to do it - he used all of those three - pills, pumps, and p injections. He first used the pills, then the pumps (still using it!) and the p injections. Steve asked Melissa whether it’s ok to use pumps even if his function is 95% back. Yes, is what Melissa answered! Why? Listen to Melissa as she explains it. Melissa will reiterate how important these three things are in your recovery or rehab. So, if you’ve been wondering how these three things work together - Melissa has the answers! What can the pills do to the penis? Why do you need to keep using the pump to exercise it? Why use injections??   If you want brief, easy to understand answers - listen to the podcast now through the button below. And we suggest that you bookmark this episode - to remind you that these things are all based on science, not movies. ;)  Enjoy listening!  ---------- Websites: https://melissahadleybarrett.com   Men’s health only https://rshealth.com.au/  All genders http://www.menshealthphysiotherapy.com.au/ http://prost.com.au/   Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/p/Melissa-Hadley-Barrett-100085237672685/ https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100085146627814   Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/melissahadleybarrett/ https://www.instagram.com/restorativehealth.clinic/ TikTok: @melissahadleybarrett YouTube: Melissa Hadley Barrett Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissa-hadley-barrett/   Music David Mercy https://open.spotify.com/artist/1HbvnltKu4XbWTmk0kpVB9?si=D1xP5dDVQK-zzNU3rViRWg   Producer Thomas Evans: The SOTA Process https://www.instagram.com/thesotaprocess/ https://open.spotify.com/show/4Jf2IYXRlgfsiqNARsY8fi

21 Maalis 202314min

127. Pele, A 16-year old BRAVE Young Man (Hard Flaccid Syndrome)

127. Pele, A 16-year old BRAVE Young Man (Hard Flaccid Syndrome)

It’s difficult to have issues down there when you’re older but it’s more difficult when you’re younger! If you remember being a teenager or if you are one you will know how hard (or not it is).   For today’s episode, we have Pele, a young man who was so brave enough to seek help when things weren’t going good down there.   Pele is the youngest interviewee we have had on the podcast and we’re extremely glad that he willingly opened his story for all of us to listen to and learn from.   Three days after he was diagnosed with COVID, Pele noticed a decreased blood flow on one side of his penis, some pain in the base, his erection wasn’t the same, and that he was not having his morning wood. He didn’t immediately mention this to his parents but when a few days had passed and nothing improved, he went to ask his mum for help.   They went to a GP who referred them to a urologist. The urologist didn’t find any major issues… but recognised that there was a problem. So he referred Pele to Melissa. And Melissa to Dr Jo for holistic intervention.  What do you think happened to Pele? Was it caused by COVID or was it a result of something different or perhaps a combination of things?  The truth is, Pele suffered from Hard Flaccid Syndrome, which was directly related to his pelvic floor, previous surgery, growth, and… hard coughing (from Covid).  To understand it fully and hear the explanation why this phenomenon happened to our young man, listen to the episode now. ;)  We’d also like to take this chance to again remind you that it is totally ok to seek help, that there is help, and the earlier you get checked, the better.   Thank you, Pelé, for showing us your courage! May it inspire men whether young or old to seek the help they need.   ---------- Websites: https://melissahadleybarrett.com   Men’s health only https://rshealth.com.au/  All genders http://www.menshealthphysiotherapy.com.au/ http://prost.com.au/   Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/p/Melissa-Hadley-Barrett-100085237672685/ https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100085146627814   Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/melissahadleybarrett/ https://www.instagram.com/restorativehealth.clinic/ TikTok: @melissahadleybarrett YouTube: Melissa Hadley Barrett Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissa-hadley-barrett/   Music David Mercy https://open.spotify.com/artist/1HbvnltKu4XbWTmk0kpVB9?si=D1xP5dDVQK-zzNU3rViRWg   Producer Thomas Evans: The SOTA Process https://www.instagram.com/thesotaprocess/ https://open.spotify.com/show/4Jf2IYXRlgfsiqNARsY8fi

14 Maalis 202343min

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