Prostate prostate prostate and cancer

This is why it is crucial to protect your mental health when you are dealing with advanced prostate cancer. “A cancer diagnosis or bad news of a relapse can be very stressful, so it is important to identify personalized approaches to manage anxiety, stress and depression,” explains Andrew J. Armstrong, MD, professor of medicine at the Duke University School of Medicine in Durham, North Carolina.

Here are some ways to take care of your emotional health while managing advanced prostate cancer.

1. Be projected for anxiety and depression

In fact, assessing you from the start of anxiety and depression is one of the most important jobs in your supplier, Dr. Armstrong explains. If you have either (or both) of conditions, your doctor can advise you on the means to deal with them with options such as drugs, therapy or both.

2. Do not hide your feelings

3. Press your loved ones

“Men with solid social support networks … tend to have better treatment results,” explains Armstrong. A spouse or a partner, for example, can play a big role by helping you make decisions on the treatment option to be continued, as well as to motivate you throughout the processing process, he says.

4. Join a support group

Armstrong notes that support groups provide more than just emotional support. These groups also offer access to practical advice when others share their experiences with certain treatments and strategies to manage symptoms and side effects.

If you receive treatment in a cancer center, you should have access to a range of patient support groups. Ask your cancer care team or a social worker at the hospital for a reference.

“No man should face this diagnosis alone,” says Armstrong.

5. Continue a healthy lifestyle

6. Practice relaxation techniques

To reduce stress that can often accompany a cancer diagnosis, try to engage in meditation, mindfulness or relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing and guided imagery. Other ideas, says Armstrong, include exercise, yoga, spiritual practices and time in nature.

7. Consider advisor

You can benefit from a mental health professional, such as a therapist, an advisor, a psychologist or a psychiatrist, explains Armstrong. You can opt for individual advice or group advice, depending on your preferences.

You can also find mental health resources through leading organizations or patient defense groups such as:

The point to take away

• An advanced diagnosis of prostate cancer can increase your risk of depression, anxiety and fragility, which can all interfere with your ability to treat the disease.
• To protect your mental health, try to practice relaxation techniques and follow a healthy life.
• Speak with others – in a support group or in advice sessions – to learn techniques to better face your state.