Being diagnosed with prostate cancer can be a hard reality to accept, and the impact can be as much of a challenge emotionally as it is physically. Finding support and coping with your diagnosis are things many people struggle to navigate. As you begin your journey, being aware of what you may encounter can help make the process easier to handle.
Whether your diagnosis is a low-grade or aggressive type,the heightened emotions you have are understandable and validated. Dealing with emotions like anger, anxiety, sadness, hopelessness, or heightened stress levels is common, and it can be hard to express these emotions. Thankfully, there are plenty of resources available you can reach out to and find the support you need.
They include:
- Friends & family
- Social workers
- Support groups
- Individual counseling
- Financial counselors
- Religious affiliations
A Second Opinion
After an initial diagnosis, it is common to seek out a second opinion about what treatment entails. There is so much information available about prostate cancer, that it becomes overwhelming. Doing this on your own can increase your anxiety and stress levels. The best recommendation is to speak with multiple doctors who offer different treatments in order to understand the treatment and assess if you are a candidate. This ensures you can pick the treatment that best fits you and your lifestyle.
Because doctors care greatly about their patients, they’ll often recommend seeking a second opinion to hear other medical viewpoints. At the end of the day, your care comes first, and the more information you have about prostate cancer, the better.
Things to Do On Your Own
Support makes a world of difference during treatment, and is encouraged. Taking time each day to focus on the things you can control can be a powerful healing method. Check out the following activities that can bring you some peace of mind when you have an overactive mind.
- Meditation
- Breathing exercises
- Manageable activities (yoga, walking, etc.)
- Listening to music
- Reading
- Writing in a journal
Where groups and loved ones are important to have, self-empowerment makes you stronger. Taking a little time out of each day to try some of these therapeutic exercises can help ease your stress.
Practice Self-care
One out of every seven men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime. Always stay up-to-date on your regular checkups because if caught early, prostate cancer is 100% curable. With the help of your care provider can devise a plan for treating and overcoming prostate cancer.
There are several treatment options available in the battle against prostate cancer. Our goal is to improve quality of care and quality of life by funding patient support programs, clinical research as well as professional and public education. If you or a loved one is working towards beating prostate cancer, reach out to us. Always remember, you are not alone
