A Guide to Prostate Cancer Support Groups
It is important to have a strong support system when facing a prostate cancer diagnosis. Generally speaking, your loved ones serve as your primary support system; however, community prostate cancer support groups foster unity among both patients and their families.
Continue reading to learn more about prostate cancer support groups, treatment options, and coping strategies.
How to Cope After Diagnosis
Dealing with a cancer diagnosis can be difficult on both your physical and mental health. In order to avoid and properly manage any anxiety and depression that you may experience as a result of your diagnosis, it is essential that you seek the appropriate counseling. Your primary care provider or specialist, such as USOC, can provide you with a list of options for coping appropriately with your mental health concerns.
Prostate cancer affects the patient’s loved ones as well in terms of their emotional wellbeing. Keeping everyone informed and involving them in decision-making can be beneficial for all parties. In most cases, a patient’s spouse or partner participates in obtaining information about the disease, scheduling and attending medical appointments, and making treatment and monitoring decisions.
In addition to coping with your prostate cancer diagnosis, you can also inform your loved ones of any risks they may face. Having a close relative with prostate cancer can increase a man’s risk for the disease, so it may be appropriate to discuss taking measures to lower the risk with adult sons and brothers. Certain inherited or genetic factors may increase the risk in some families such as:
- BRCA1
- BRCA2
- Hereditary Non-Polyposis Colorectal Cancer, or HNPCC (Lynch Syndrome)
Treatment Options
Prostate cancer is one of the most commonly diagnosed cancers among men. In fact, one in eight men will be diagnosed within their lifetime. That’s why it is crucial to understand the symptoms, risk factors, and treatment options associated with this disease. There are several treatment options available for prostate cancer, and any one of these may have a significant impact on a person’s daily life both now and in the future. A few of the most common treatment options are as follows:
- Active surveillance
- Prostatectomy
- Radiation therapy
- Cryotherapy
- Chemotherapy
- Treatment with biological agents
- High-intensity focused ultrasound
- Hormone therapy
A complex treatment decision should be fully understood before making a decision. Early detection is crucial, as the older you are, the more likely you are to be diagnosed with the disease.
Many men seek multiple opinions in order to determine the best course of treatment for their cancer, as well as the mental struggles that often accompany any diagnosis.
In addition to your primary care provider, a variety of specialists may also be consulted, including urology specialists, radiation oncologists, and medical oncologists. Depending on their perspective, they may offer different treatment recommendations for your cancer. To ensure that your health needs are met in terms of preparation and early detection, USOC is able to provide you with appropriate treatment options and testing.
All About Support Groups
When it comes to coping and dealing with your prostate cancer diagnosis, it’s important to understand your support group options. Here at USOC, we partner with ZERO Cancer, which offers both online and in-person emotional support. This support is not only available for patients, but also for loved ones. The American Cancer Society also serves as a good resource for support options.
Support groups may be helpful before, during, and after treatment for you and your family members. A support group can aid in decision-making, enhance quality of life, and possibly even help to elongate life expectancy by improving mental wellbeing. Having the opportunity to speak with other cancer survivors can be extremely reassuring.
In addition, it can be helpful to hear how others made treatment decisions, how they experienced certain treatments, and how they managed side effects. Support groups are also beneficial to men who fail their initial treatments as well as those dealing with recurrences of cancer.
Join Us In Our Efforts at USOC
A support group can be an invaluable resource for coping with a prostate cancer diagnosis and preparing for treatment. Educating yourself about prostate cancer can reduce the risk of developing this disease and simplify the treatment process by allowing you to take preventative measures and identifying the signs and symptoms early. Join USOC on October 29th for the annual ZERO Prostate Cancer 5k in Charlotte, NC.
Whether you participate in the race or make a donation, you can make a significant contribution to this cause. As well as raising funds, the ZERO Prostate Cancer 5K provides the opportunity to share hope and declare one number above all others: ZERO. Prostate cancer patients and their families benefit greatly from your participation. Through the 5K, you will be able to show your love for the patients and provide emotional and financial support to them and their families. Let’s raise awareness about this illness and bring hope to survivors across the board. Click the button below to get started. We can’t wait to hear from you!
