Prostate Cancer Support
Every sick person needs to have support in order to fight their illness. This is especially true for men who are diagnosed with prostate cancer. A man who has been in control throughout his life will find the uncertainty of a cancer diagnosis very hard to bear. A man who hears the words “you have prostate cancer” can experience a myriad of emotions such as fear, anger, betrayal, powerlessness, resentment and loneliness. If he has a family depending on him, he may feel a lot of stress. In addition to medical assistance, these men need support, help and encouragement.
In addition to the medical treatments that the patient must undergo, one of the most difficult parts of prostate cancer is mental stress. Patients are affected by the stress of the diagnosis and the fear that they might not survive; they may worry about finances, and deciding on the right treatments, and the effect of their illness on those close to them. Doctors know that this kind of stress can be detrimental to the outcome of prostate cancer. The physical effects of stress can lead to problems like insomnia, fatigue, anxiety, irritability, and headaches. There can also be more serious effects like ulcers, hypertension and stroke.
A patient who has received a diagnosis of prostate cancer needs the support of their friends and family, but sometimes this is not enough. Friends and family may not really understand all the various problems intrinsic to prostate cancer. A patient would benefit from the support of those who have been through the whole process and survived. Survivors’ first hand experiences can help the patient understand the process, and this will decrease stress levels. Support groups can be very helpful in this situation.
Support groups are available locally or on the internet. Some organizations have support groups which have a licensed therapist available. Some support groups focus on giving information about what to expect in the way of medical exams and the side effects of various treatments. Other groups are less structured and simply encourage their members to share their feelings, and receive the benefit of the experiences of others. Support groups can answer questions such as what to expect from a prostatectomy, how to get insured after a diagnosis of cancer and tips about bladder control issues. There are also many different sites and support groups on the internet which can offer help with almost any part of the fight against prostate cancer.
Prostate cancer patients need to take special care of themselves during this difficult time. Patients might benefit from special relaxation techniques that can lower stress levels such as visualization and breathing exercises. In addition to support groups, there are social workers and counselors who can help, and financial advisors who can help find ways to ease the financial burden of medical expenses and treatment. A patient may also need a legal advisor who can give advice about preparing a standard will, or a living will, which confers power of attorney to someone in the event that the patient is no longer able to make decisions about their own health care.
Nutrition specialists advocate relieving stress through diet. There are certain foods which have been proven to lower stress levels such as spinach, fish, oatmeal, oranges and dark chocolate. Fifteen minutes a day of sunshine can help prevent depression and can help the body process vitamins and minerals.
Any patient who has been diagnosed with prostate cancer should know that support is available everywhere and in any form needed. There is also support available for the patient’s family and friends. There are many online sites with information to help families know what to expect. Caring for a person who is going through the difficult experience of prostate cancer can be stressful, too, but there is help and support available for everyone who needs it.
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