Gloria Harrison, RN, replies: Managing incontinence with absorbent products can be a challenge, but there are many good-quality products specifically designed for men. The choice depends on your lifestyle, the amount of leakage you experience and personal preference.

For mild to moderate incontinence, several companies make a cup-shaped guard; it’s held in place inside underwear by an adhesive strip. You can get an even more secure fit by wearing reusable stretch pants over the product. The next level of protection is a pad, which may come as a pad and reusable, washable pant system. There are also snug-fitting, belted unisex undergarments. They have high absorbency, are discreet and easy to change, and pull down easily. The top absorbency products are protective underwear and the brief. Protective underwear tends to be less bulky. It resembles regular underwear and is a good choice for active people. The brief has a similar absorbency, and usually has refastenable tabs for a secure fit. You may need a heavier product such as a brief at night but manage with a lighter product during the day. A booster liner (without a waterproof backing) can be worn inside it to increase the capacity.

To maintain healthy skin, it’s important to change your product often — every four to six hours — and to cleanse your skin with a cleansing wipe (preferably moisturized) each tme. I also recommend a thorough washing at least once a day, using a pH-balanced liquid soap. Bar soaps can be irritating. If you develop sores and blisters, you should apply a barrier cream after cleansing. There are three-in-one products available that contain cleanser, moisturizer and barrier.

Although they’re expensive, it’s important to use high-quality incontinence products. Large grocery stores and pharmacies carry good lines at reasonable prices. A small knapsack to carry products and wipes, and a plastic disposal bag offer a discreet solution to the transport problem.

 Dr. C. Ellen Lee explains: Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) is an effective treatment for men with advanced, local prostate cancer. However, it has a number of side effects that can contribute to poor quality of life. More and more research shows that exercise can help men manage these physical, physiological and psychosocial effects.

Strong evidence supports that exercise improves aerobic and muscle endurance, reduces fatigue, and impacts positively on overall quality of life of men with prostate cancer receiving ADT. Moderate evidence suggests that exercise can enhance muscle strength and mass, daily physical performance (e.g. walking; sitting-to-standing speed) and quality of life specifically in health-related, social and physical functioning. These positive results seem to be greater in group-based exercise programs that include resistance training (e.g. strength exercises that cause muscles to contract against an external resistance such as dumbbells, rubber exercise tubing, your body weight). Resistance needs to be enough that your major muscle groups feel tired after one set of eight to 12 repetitions.

The effects of exercise on bone mass and fracture risk, diabetes, cardiovascular events and cognitive function remain unknown in men with prostate cancer on ADT. However, it’s well established that exercise reduces the risk of hip fractures, type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular-related death in the general population and in older men. There’s also some proof that exercise prevents bone loss in postmenopausal women and reduces the risk of cognitive function decline in older adults.

Exercise should be considered an adjunct treatment for men receiving ADT. Men should consult their physicians and physical therapists to find a program that best suits their capabilities and needs.

At present, the evidence on the relationship between exercise and prostate cancer prevention remains unclear. Also, there’s been no research study to date examining the link between exercise and progression of this disease.