Dealing with Prostate Cancer
It may be difficult to deal with the emotional impact of your prostate cancer diagnosis and also begin to make decisions about treatment.
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Your Prostate Cancer
Once you've been diagnosed, it's important to understand the stage of your case of prostate cancer and begin to explore what treatment options are available:- National Cancer Institute: What You Need to Know About Prostate Cancer - Staging
- American Cancer Society: Considering Prostate Cancer Treatment Options
Understanding Your PSA If you get a pathology report, take time read it over with your doctor:Prostate Lab: Understanding a Pathology Report
Your World
It may be difficult to deal with the emotional impact of your diagnosis and also begin to make decisions about treatment. It’s important to reach out to those around you to find the support you need. These sources offer help:Prostate Cancer Myths
- "If you don't have urination problems or lower abdominal pain, you don't have prostate cancer."
- "Only old men get prostate cancer."
- "All treatments for prostate cancer result in impotence."
Information and Recommended Links for Survivors:
National Cancer Institute: Prostate Cancer Treatment Options Overview
The Emotional Rollercoaster of Prostate Cancer
Dealing with prostate cancer may take a lot out of you -- emotionally, physically, spiritually and mentally. Give yourself permission to feel that full range of emotion and lean on others when you need to. There is no one way to feel about having cancer, nor is there only one way to experience it. This is your experience and your journey. Some people find writing down their feelings or keeping a journal to be helpful. Others find joining a support group (online or in-person) to be helpful.Insurance Work Matters
Health Insurance and Prostate Cancer
Most treatments for prostate cancer are well-accepted and covered by insurance:ACS: Health Insurance and Financial Assistance for the Cancer Patient
