Prostate Cancer Support: An Overview
Learning you have
prostate cancer can change your life and the lives of those close to you. These changes can be hard to handle. It is normal for you, your family, and your friends to have many different and sometimes confusing feelings.
You may worry about:
- Caring for your family
- Keeping your job
- Continuing daily activities.
Prostate Cancer Support From Healthcare Providers
Doctors, nurses, and other members of your healthcare team can answer questions about treatment, working, or other activities. Meeting with a social worker, counselor, or member of the clergy can be helpful if you want to talk about your feelings or concerns. Often, a social worker can suggest resources for:
- Financial aid
- Transportation
- Home care
- Emotional support.
Prostate Cancer Support From Other Sources
Friends and relatives can provide prostate cancer support. Support groups also can help. In these groups, people meet with other patients or their families to share what they have learned about coping with the disease and the effects of treatment. Groups may offer support in person, over the telephone, or online. You may want to talk with a member of your healthcare team about finding a support group in your area.
You and your partner may be concerned about the effects of prostate cancer on your sexual relationship. You may want to talk with your doctor about possible side effects from prostate cancer treatment options and whether these are likely to last. Whatever the outlook, you and your partner may find it helps to discuss your concerns. You can find ways to be intimate during and after treatment. For some couples, it helps to talk with a sex counselor.
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