UNDERSTANDING CANCER Taking Control

Transcription

1 UNDERSTANDING CANCER Taking Control Living well with prostate cancer

2 You have prostate cancer. Hearing you have prostate cancer is usually a huge shock. Many men view prostate cancer as a death sentence. We now understand a lot more about the different types of prostate cancer and in most cases it can be successfully treated. A new diagnosis of prostate cancer still packs a powerful punch and can cause men diagnosed with it to feel intense and conflicting emotions. This brochure describes some of the common reactions men have towards prostate cancer and suggests ways of helping you regain control. For more detailed information on prostate cancer read the Cancer Society booklet Prostate Cancer: A guide for men with prostate cancer. For your free copy phone the Cancer Society 0800 CANCER ( ) or read it online on the Cancer Society s website You can also visit the Prostate Cancer Foundation of New Zealand for details of their support groups. Common reactions Don t worry mate she ll be right. Pushing the news to the side (denial) can be a common way to soften the blow of a prostate cancer diagnosis. It may be a good way to cope in the beginning. However, denial can get in the way of gathering the information you need to help you make decisions about your treatment.

3 Anxiety fear for the future A cancer diagnosis affects many aspects of your life. You may be worried about your finances your job, your partner or family. You may have questions like Am I going to survive this cancer?, Can I still work?, Can I still have sex?, How will my family cope? You may not be able to take in important information your doctors are giving you. Anxiety can produce physical symptoms such as feeling your heart is racing, breathlessness, increased blood pressure, loss of appetite, nausea and disturbed sleep. Anger - Why me? Anger often stems from fear and panic and may be directed at loved ones at a time when you most need their support. If you are concerned about how you are feeling, speak to your doctor and phone the nurses on the Cancer Information Helpline 0800 CANCER ( ) about counselling services in your area. Depression Men with prostate cancer are nearly twice as likely to develop depression as other men. Having prostate cancer can cause worry, stress and sadness both in men with cancer and their partners.

4 Taking Control - What can help? Be informed Learn more about your cancer. Remember everyone is different and only your medical team can tell you about your particular cancer. Learn about treatment options and their side effects. Talk to your GP They will have information from your hospital doctors and you may feel more comfortable discussing your cancer with your own doctor, who may have known you for a long time. Contact the nurses on the Cancer Information Helpline 0800 CANCER ( ) for information, books and websites on prostate cancer. Talk to someone else who has had prostate cancer. The Cancer Society has a telephone peer-support service called Cancer Connect where you can be linked with another man who has had prostate cancer. Call 0800 CANCER ( ). Make a list of questions to take to your doctor. Be upfront and open about your concerns with your doctor. It helps you get the information you need and makes the most of the time with them. Take someone with you to your appointment if possible they will be able to listen for things you may not take in.

5 Talk about it The traditional view of the New Zealand man is that he is the strong, silent type or a good keen man not given to expressing his emotions or talking about how he is feeling. Talking to others about how you feel can help to reduce anxiety, fear and anger. Talk to your family and friends let them know how you are feeling. You may prefer to talk to someone who is not a family member contact your local Cancer Society for suggestions. Counselling can be a good way to tackle difficult issues and help you find a way to move on. Keeping a diary or a blog can help you keep track of how you re doing and express how you re feeling. Men attending support groups say having the opportunity to talk to others in a similar situation is an important aid to coping with their cancer. The Cancer Society offers a range of groups and programmes to help you during this difficult time.

6 Cancer Chat NZ offers an online forum connecting people through their experience with cancer. Cancer Chat can be used by anyone with internet access who has a question or information to share anonymously with other Cancer Chat users. Carrying on with everyday life Physical activity Studies have shown that exercise can improve overall quality of life. Physical activity (exercise) can lower anxiety, improve mood, boost self-esteem, reduce symptoms such as fatigue, nausea, pain, diarrhoea, constipation, and increase your energy. After treatment, exercise within your limits. Aim to be active for at least 30 minutes or more on most days of the week. This activity can include walking, gardening, washing the car or a more structured programme. Ask at your local Cancer Society about exercise programmes or gyms available in your area.

7 If you have prolonged hormone treatment, or a bilateral orchidectomy, you may be at risk of osteoporosis (bone-thinning). Regular exercise can help keep your bones healthy. Before you begin to exercise ask your doctor what exercise is safe for you. Eating Well By eating healthily you can take control of your own health and actively do something to improve it. Healthy eating can reduce your risk of other medical problems, such as heart disease and diabetes. Men on hormone therapy who are at risk of osteoporosis should try to include calcium in their diet (dairy products, green vegetables, nuts and wholegrain foods such as bread, rice and cereals). If you are taking any vitamin, mineral or herbal supplement please check these with your doctor.

8 For more information on nutrition read the Cancer Society s booklet Eating Well During Cancer Treatment or our resource Healthy Eating and Physical Activity: Ten best tips for good health on our website or contact your local Cancer Society for copies. You can also visit the Heart Foundation of New Zealand Relaxation Take a break from cancer. Learn some stress management techniques. Examples are meditation and Tai Chi, or just switching off with a good book, TV, gardening or relaxing with a funny DVD. Plan a holiday or a day out. Having things to look forward to are an important part of coping.

9 Keeping your follow-up appointments Appointments are important for monitoring your cancer and checking out any concerns you may have. If you have any problems before your appointment is due (for example pain, urinary problems), call your GP or cancer clinic to have it checked out. You may need an earlier appointment. For further information Phone the Cancer Information Helpline 0800 CANCER ( ) and visit our website Booklet and Information Sheets Cancer Society of New Zealand. (2012). Prostate Cancer/Matepukupuku Repeure: A guide for men with prostate cancer. Prostate Cancer Information Sheet (2012) Matepukupuku Repeure Information Sheet (2013). A te Reo Maori translation of the Prostate Cancer Information Sheet. Using the Internet for Cancer Information and Support (2011). (This booklet and Information Sheets are available free from your local Cancer Society or from the Society s website

10 The Internet Seeking information on the internet can be a good way to find prostate cancer information. The following tips may be helpful: Decide what you want to find narrow down your search to key words. Enter key words or a phrase into a search engine, such as Google, and sift through the results. Try narrowing down the topic for more specific information (for example not just prostate cancer but rather, prostate cancer and chemotherapy or prostate and cancer survivor. Get recommendations for reliable websites from the Cancer Society or your healthcare team. Make notes as you read information you find will be general in nature and may not be relevant to your situation, so use it to better define the questions you need to ask you doctor. Discuss what you find with your doctor. Look for information when you feel ready. Ask the cancer information nurses to suggest some good websites by phoning the Cancer Information Helpline 0800 CANCER ( ). Other suggested websites Prostate Cancer Foundation of New Zealand Prostate Cancer UK Get the Tools Discussing the nuts and bolts of men s health

11 GUYS, CHECK your toolkit.

12 ANY CANCER, ANY QUESTION 0800 CANCER ( ) Cancer Information Helpline