Mind & body: coping skills

Managing the Threat of Prostate Cancer
Dr. Scott Bishop Psychologist

The diagnosis of prostate cancer can be very threatening for most men. The news that you have cancer can be associated with a sense of uncertainty about the future that can produce feelings of stress, anxiety and despair. How you manage this period will determine to a large extent how much stress and emotional distress you experience.
Whatever your situation, the following can help you to manage your illness and help you to cope effectively with prostate cancer:

• Accept your situation
• Educate yourself
• Take charge
• Collaborate with your doctor
• Keep a record of your health
• Learn problem-solving skills
• Manage your mood
• Adopt healthy behaviours
• Seek social support
• Consider attending a support group

Accept your situation
Although you might be tempted to try and ignore or deny that you have cancer, and this might help you feel better in the short run, this approach is often associated with more stress and emotional distress in the long run. While it might be difficult, it is better to face the reality of your situation. People who accept that they have cancer are more likely to take an active approach to managing their illness and therefore tend to cope better than people who deny their situation and do nothing.

Educate yourself
You should understand some of the basic information about your illness and its treatment. Knowing about prostate cancer can help alleviate some of the uncertainty regarding your illness and help you to make the right choices about your treatment. Information can also help you to realistically evaluate the seriousness of your illness and understand what to expect from treatment. Many men find that their fears are unfounded once they understand their illness, their treatment, and their prognosis. Sometimes fears are founded however, and knowing all of the information can help you to manage more effectively. Ask your doctor questions and read about your illness. An excellent resource to help educate is "The ABC’s of Prostate Cancer" by Joseph E. Oesterling, M.D. and Mark A. Mayard, M.P.H. published by Madison Books, Lanham, Maryland, 1998.
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Take charge
Being informed about prostate cancer can help you to take an active role in the management of your illness. Research shows that people who take an active role in their treatment experience less stress, anxiety and depression than those who take a passive approach. There is even some evidence that people who adopt a "fighting spirit" recover more quickly and possibly live longer. Make a commitment to yourself that you are going to manage this illness.
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Collaborate with your doctor
You and your doctor are a team. Your should ask questions so that you understand your illness and the rational for your treatment. Make certain that you understand the benefits and risk of all treatments, including side effects. Let your doctor know about new or troubling symptoms, side effects from medication, or any other health concerns. Your doctor wants to help you. He or she will likely appreciate having this information. Finally, participate in your own treatment by following medical advice.
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Keep a record of your health
It helps to keep a record of your medications, treatments, and appointments to help you manage your treatment. Also, be sure to keep a record of new or troubling symptoms, side effects from treatment, and any other questions or concerns about your health. When you visit your physician, prepare for your visit by making a list of your observations, questions or concerns and prioritize them from most important to least important. Remember, most visits with your doctor will only last about 15 minutes so make sure that you ask those questions that are of most concern to you first.

Learn problem-solving skills
Most problems can be solved. It is important to take an active role in solving your problems as a way to stay in charge of your health - and your life! We recommend a 5-step process to solving problems:

• Identify the problem. Be specific - exactly what is the problem that needs to be solved?
  
  
• Identify the goal – what needs to change?
  
  
• Generate possible solutions. Make a list of different ways to achieve your goal.
  
  
• Estimate the probability that each solution will allow you to achieve your goal. Also, weight the advantages and disadvantages of the possible solutions.
  
  
• Try your solution and evaluate your success. If you do not have success, evaluate how your approach could be improved or choose another solution and try that. Sometimes however the solution to a problem might be to change your goal.

Manage your mood
Stress and anxiety management is important. It is difficult to focus on managing your illness when your attention is on your stress and anxiety. Besides, stress and anxiety can contribute to less enjoyment in your life. Exercise, meditation and deep breathing and are all effective ways to lower your stress and anxiety. Also, part of managing your mood is recognizing when emotional distress is beyond your ability to manage on your own. If your are feeling depressed and unable to bring yourself out of it, or you are experiencing a level of anxiety that is very uncomfortable, talk to your doctor about this. He or she will be able to suggest a treatment to assist you with more serious problems with stress, anxiety or depression.
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Adopt healthy behaviours
To help your body to fight the cancer, recover from treatment such as surgery or radiation, and to feel better it is important to adopt healthy living habits. This includes healthy eating, daily exercise (e.g., 30 minutes of daily walking), proper rest, and stress management.
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Seek social support
Your family and friends can provide emotional and practical support to help through this difficult time. Families often come together in times of crisis and friends are frequently willing to listen and help you through this time. Do not be afraid to ask for help – everybody needs a hand at some point in his life.
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Consider attending a patient support group
While family and friends can offer valuable support, sometimes it is helpful to speak with other patients who have had prostate cancer. A support group such as Man to Man can be an excellent resource for men with prostate cancer.
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