Family support is key in process of prostate cancer treatment
One of the greatest shocks that may confront a man is hearing the words “You have cancer.” This diagnosis of prostate cancer can forcefully punch him with dread and fear. Actually he may be afraid of losing two things which matter to him deeply: His sexual capacity and his life. He will probably have a difficult struggle coping with either threat. His family may suffer the same emotions as he except their dread and fear will concern his health and life not theirs. Of course the diagnosis absolutely impacts both the individual and everyone else important in his life. So it may be that he needs help from more than just a medical team; he and his family may also need additional support in this personal crisis as well.
With a prostate cancer diagnosis most men do undergo extreme anxiety and stress normal reactions at best. Yet there are times when a man decides to ignore or deny his situation completely taking the attitude “Come what may!” as a type of masculine bravado. Desiring to further bolster his feelings of masculinity he may inadvertently cause the cancer to worsen by denying his fear. For in ignoring or denying the seriousness of cancer he may neglect seeking medical attention. Needless to say his concern for losing his “manhood” may overshadow his concern for getting the proper treatment for his prostate cancer.
Nonetheless he must push through his initial doubts about seeking medical help and have a thorough discussion with his doctor and/or medical specialists. Some of the specialists who may be involved in his future medical treatment may be an urologist a medical oncologist and/or a radiation oncologist. With each one he will discuss the following: The urologist will talk about surgical options concerning the prostate cancer; the medical oncologist will talk about drug therapy options; and the radiation oncologist will talk about radiation options. In all instances the specialists will also discuss the benefits advantages disadvantages and side effects of each treatment. However it is the man’s ultimate responsibility to research everything that entails his possible treatment.
If the future patient still feels overwhelmed regarding his prostrate cancer he can seek assistance from several organizations which provide education medical psychological and social counseling support groups and resources for financial help. These organizations also offer abundant supportive assistance to the families and friends of prostate cancer patients.
The American Cancer Society (cancer.org) is one such organization offering help with support groups help with transportation to and from doctor visits help with cancer education and many other assistance programs. Another such organization is CancerCare (cancercare.org) which offers the same help along with financial assistance counseling and other programs as well. One other organization is Us-Too Prostate Cancer Education and Support Network which offers educational information on prostate cancer prostate cancer support groups and other multiple resources listed on its website (ustoo.org). These organizations are only some of the numerous organizations that offer aid to both cancer patient and family.
Tip Of The Week: The man with prostate cancer may feel quite overwhelmed with his diagnosis and its certain effect on his life and the lives of his loved ones. However in not denying his emotional anxieties he can seek out vital information about his cancer from the medical professionals who will provide his medical care. But even more than that he can also seek advice and emotional support from those who faced the same cancer whose families faced the cancer with them and the journey they all had taken to overcome it. Their stories about their personal experiences and the courage displayed in their lives will certainly encourage him. With his own courage growing he can nurture a new hope as he faces his personal journey in battling prostate cancer fully recognizing he does not travel alone.
Related Articles