Finding Support When Diagnosed with Advanced Prostate Cancer
You have been diagnosed with advanced stage prostate cancer. You are scared. You aren’t sure what the future holds. You are worried about your family, about finances, about your health. There are a million thoughts swimming through your head and you have no idea how to sort them out and make sense of what is going on.
Someone to talk to
It’s important to find a confidante - someone you can talk to about your fears and concerns. For many, their spouse becomes their confidante. Others, however, don’t want to further burden their spouse and want a more neutral person. A confidante can be anyone - a therapist, friend, family member, support group member. Think about who would best be there for you.
Support groups
When diagnosed with advanced stage prostate cancer you might feel alone. You might not have anyone that you feels really understands what you are going through. There are a number of support groups, filled with people going through the same thing as you, both in person and online. You can look for a support group through UsToo.org. This organization has in-person support groups, online communities and phone support groups. The group also sponsors walks/runs for both fundraising and camaraderie. You can find out more on their website.
National organizations
National organizations offer a wealth of information on living with advanced stage prostate cancer. In addition to information, many can provide you with local resources. Visit their websites or contact them to find out more about how they can help.
American Cancer Society
800-227-2345
American Urological Association Foundation
800-828-7866
American Prostate Society
800-308-1106
Erectile Dysfunction Institute
844-4ED-CURE
Male Continence.com
844-433-2873
National Comprehensive Cancer Network
215-690-0300
Patient Advocates for Advanced Prostate Cancer Treatment
616-453-1477
Prostate Cancer Foundation
800-757-2873
Prostate Cancer Research Institute
800-641-7274
Websites and blogs
You might want to read further information or hear other people’s stories about living with advanced stage prostate cancer. The following are websites and blogs dealing with the same issues you are facing each day.
Advanced Prostate Cancer - information on new studies, clinical trials and treatment options
Marilyn Beads - Our Walk - blog by Marilyn Mullin about her and her husband’s journey after her husband was diagnosed with Stage IV prostate cancer.
The following blogs deal generally with prostate cancer and might not have information on living with advanced stage prostate cancer, however, they are an additional source of information:
Cycle for Life - a blog written by John Wagontail about his life after being diagnosed with prostate cancer.
The Palpable Prostate - blogs written by survivors of prostate cancer on a number of different topics.
Prostate Cancer - Our Journey - written by Daniel Sencier, a survivor of prostate cancer.
Prost8blog - written by and oncologist and professor of medicine at the University of Colorado Cancer Center, it contains information on treatments and provides links to additional reading material.
For more information:
Using Chemotherapy Early in Treatment May Help Extend the Life of Patients with Prostate Cancer
Men with Advanced Prostate Cancer Might Benefit from Ovarian Cancer Drug
Eileen Bailey is a freelance health writer. She is the author of What Went Right: Reframe Your Thinking for a Happier Now, Idiot’s Guide to Adult ADHD, Idiot’s Guide to Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Essential Guide to Overcoming Obsessive Love, and Essential Guide to Asperger’s Syndrome. She can be found on Twitter @eileenmbailey and on Facebook at eileenmbailey.
