The moment you find out you have prostate cancer, your world changes. Anxiety about making the right decisions about treatment and uncertainty about the outcome can take over your thoughts.
Concerns about how treatment might affect you only add to the intrigue and can change the way you see yourself. Depending on the therapy, there can be significant implications, including changes in muscle mass, erectile dysfunction, libido, and fatigue. When you think of a man who is normally active and his energy levels are not what they used to be, it can affect his sense of identity.
It's easy to feel like you are alone when dealing with these burdens. But the truth is that prostate cancer is the second most common cancer in the US in people with a prostate. Also, although cancer can be serious, the chances of survival are high. And in some cases, the best course of treatment is simply watchful waiting.
Knowing that prostate cancer is something many people cope with and survive can be reassuring. But there are other tools to help you process your diagnosis and cope with the emotions you may be feeling, from anger to uncertainty and fear.
How to live better if you have prostate cancer?
Find the right amount of knowledge for you
Knowing your diagnosis and treatment options can give you a sense of control and help you feel better about the course of therapy you ultimately choose to take.
Fears and worries are often everything, but education can alleviate some of that fear.
Ask your GP or oncologist your questions and read about prostate cancer and treatments from trusted sources such as the National Cancer Institute, the American Cancer Society, Cancer.net, or the websites of the major prostate treatment hospitals. Cancer. But avoid Dr. Google .
Just as important is that you are honest with yourself about how much information you really want. There will be families that do not want to delve too deeply into the disease, and others that do.
Think about your treatment options, but don't let them take over your life
It is normal to feel indecisive about the best therapy, especially if you are presented with multiple options, including the option of not treating the cancer and simply keeping an eye on it. It's important to carefully weigh your choices, but spending too much time ruminating can be the key to intense anxiety.
Once you have gathered all your information, it is best to choose a date when you will make your decision. Then set aside time to think about treatment. Maybe you are going to give yourself an hour in the morning and an hour in the afternoon to write pros and cons or problem-solving lists.
Resist the urge to rush into a decision unless your doctor tells you otherwise. In most cases, it's okay to give yourself a couple of weeks to think. Although it is worth confirming the schedule with your oncologist. This is an important decision. If someone tells you to speed it up, unless there's a medical reason why you should, spend time meditating until you feel confident and clear about your choice.
Get the emotional support you feel comfortable with
Attending a support group for people with prostate cancer has been shown to reduce feelings of tension, anxiety, fatigue, and even depression. Talking to other people who are going through the same experience can help you feel less alone and give you new ideas for solving problems, including treatment side effects.
But it is not your only option. If sharing your feelings with a group of strangers seems uncomfortable, try maintaining an open dialogue with your partner or even a good friend. Sharing concerns about sexual intimacy is important.
You can also book a session with a psychologist who specializes in cancer. Visiting a clinical health psychologist focuses on your diagnosis. It is not an intensive process, they are not going to talk about your early childhood.
Your oncologist or primary care provider can also help you navigate your feelings, especially those related to the sexual side effects of treatment. If you've never talked about things like ejaculation or orgasm, a doctor is someone you might feel more comfortable talking to.
Beware
The basic principles of a healthy life are more important than ever at this time. They could be classified into: mindfulness, exercise, diet and sleep.
Eating right, being active, managing stress, and getting plenty of rest help keep your body cells in the best shape possible, which can ultimately increase your chances of survival.
However, making time for personal care will not only protect your physical health. Both exercise and mindfulness practices can help people with cancer feel more motivated and less depressed . Diets high in antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables are also linked to lower rates of depression, according to a September 2019 review in Antioxidants.
Let your worries show up
Cancer does not come with guarantees. Whether you're in treatment or just keeping an eye on your prostate cancer, not worrying about what the future holds can sometimes seem impossible.
Remember that these feelings are completely normal, and will feel less overwhelming over time as your diagnosis adjusts.
In the meantime, try to strike a balance between acknowledging your concerns without letting them completely take over your mind. The worst thing we can do is push those feelings away.
The next time a negative thought arises, from whether you chose the right treatment to how bad you feel physically or whether your cancer will get worse, start by taking a few deep breaths. Tell yourself that it's okay to worry, and then try challenging the thought.
Try to live in the moment
You cannot change the decisions you made in the past or control what will happen to your cancer in the future. But you can decide to make the most of today. And doing so can go a long way in managing your feelings and coping with stress, according to July 2017 research in the Annals of Palliative Medicine.
That doesn't mean that you should force yourself to be happy or carefree all the time, that's not realistic. But you can create moments of joy in every day.
We forget to do that on the road. Anything that makes you happy, whether it's your family, a hobby, or an art, put it into your treatment plan. Make it a priority.
