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.*Currently best for people who’ve had prostate cancer surgery and their partners.
Men respond in all kinds of ways to living with prostate cancer and it’s all very personal. But these feelings of anger, sadness and losing hope don’t have to last forever. You can get through the ups and downs, one step at a time.
What’s normal to be feeling
after your prostate cancer diagnosis?
Everyone’s different, but you may experience a wide range of feelings, including:
shock and anger
denial
worry
loneliness
feeling like a burden on others
How cancer can affect emotional health
In this moment, there can be a variety of things that cause emotional upheaval:
Sense of loss
Physical changes to your body, such as putting on weight, losing physical strength, or changes to your sex life could make you feel differently about yourself.Diminished sense of manhood
. Other times, men feel their role in the family has changed—for example, they’ve had to stop working.
Some men say a prostate cancer diagnosis or treatment makes themMood swings
Some treatments, like hormone therapy, can make you feel a wide range of emotions in a short amount of time. This can mean getting teary-eyed one moment and extremely angry the next.
Call the Cancer Helpline on
(24 hours a day, 7 days a week) to speak with a trained cancer information specialist.You can also contact the
for information and resources to help with the mental and emotional changes that may come after a cancer diagnosis.Taking Action
Everyone has their own way of dealing with prostate cancer. Here are ways you can take action:Learn as much as possible about your prostate cancer treatment. Find out how your doctor plans to treat your cancer—including potential side effects—so you know your options and what to expect.
Take care of yourself. When you feel up to it, learn some techniques to manage stress and relax, like listening to music, yoga or breathing exercises.
Join a cancer support group. Your healthcare provider may be able to connect you to a local support group.
Focus on other things too. Set fun goals and things to look forward to.
Who can help you get better?
Trained counselors
Counselors are trained to listen and can help you to find your own ways to deal with things. Many hospitals have counselors or psychologists who specialize in helping people with cancer — ask your care team at the hospital if this is available or if they know of services in the community you can access at low or no cost to you. Your doctor may also be able to refer you to a counselor, or you can seek out a private counselor yourself.
To find out more information and locate a therapist or counselor near you, visit the
or .Your medical team
Talk to your nurse, doctor or someone else in your care team. They can help you understand your prostate cancer diagnosis, treatment, and side effects, listen to your concerns and put you in touch with other people who can help. They can also help you understand what services are covered by your insurance plan.
