Any cancer diagnosis can cause a challenging mix of emotions for both the affected person and family and friends. Supporting a loved one during this time is an integral part of their healing. If you have a beloved father, brother, or spouse who is in cancer care or receiving treatment for prostate cancer, here’s how you can help.

3 Tips for Supporting a Loved One With Prostate Cancer

1. Educate Yourself About the Disease

Prostate cancer has a variety of stages and types of treatment and prognoses. To support a loved one, learn as much as you can about their specific diagnosis and the options available to them. If possible, go to doctor’s appointments and help them advocate for their own care. Ask questions about medications, treatment, side effects, and cancer care options. Although knowledge doesn’t eliminate fear, it does help make you feel more in control and better prepared to meet the challenges ahead.

2. Talk About It … or Not

It’s important to make yourself available to your loved one to talk about their fears and feelings. Make time before or after tests and appointments to talk if they indicate the need. Many men are socialized to hide or push away feelings—so he may not ask for support. Offer it even if you are initially rebuffed. Also, remember that your loved one is not just a cancer patient—he’s still the person you love. Just being available to be “normal” with him may be enough.

3. Build a Support Network

A cancer diagnosis can be overwhelming and may cause a withdrawal from life and relationships. While this is normal, it can be stressful. Depending on how the disease unfolds, you may need assistance caring for a loved one. Support may look like asking friends for help with cooking, babysitting, household chores, or pet care. Enlist other available family or consider hiring a compassionate in-home cancer care service. Hospitals offer a variety of counseling and support groups and they should have referrals for home care and other services. 

Knowledge and support help ease the challenges of helping a loved one deal with prostate cancer. With locations throughout the Finger Lakes area, including Rochester, Newark, and Auburn, Lifetime Care offers a variety of home health services, such as palliative, hospice, and cancer care, as well as infusion pharmacy services. They’ve been committed to compassionate and professional care since 1960. Call (585) 214-1000 to discuss your needs or visit their comprehensive website to learn about services.