What support is available?
As well as getting medical help to treat your cancer most men find it helps to get some emotional support as well.
Talking to a partner, friend or relative about how you are feeling may help them to support you and help you cope better. Sharing concerns can make any decisions about your treatment easier to deal with.
You may also find it helps to talk to your doctor or a specialist cancer nurse at your treatment centre or a Macmillan nurse. Many of these nurses are trained in counselling and can help you work through some of your concerns. If you do not already have contact with one of these nurses you can ask your GP to refer you to their services.
If you would like to talk to a specialist nurse about your treatment or anything you have read in this fact sheet, call our confidential Helpline on 0800 074 8383.
If you would like to speak to another man who has been diagnosed with prostate cancer, The Prostate Cancer Charity can put you in touch with someone through our peer support service. Call our confidential Helpline on 0800 074 8383 to find out more about this service.
More information
The following organisations provide further information relevant to these pages.
British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP)
www.bacp.co.uk
This organisation will help you find trained counsellors.
Citizens Advice
www.adviceguide.org.uk
Information and advice on getting financial help with the costs of cancer including travel and prescriptions.
Healthtalkonline
www.healthtalkonline.org
Patients share their experience of illness,diagnosis, treatment and care.‘Going for a’ website.
Virtual hospital from the Royal College of Radiologists
www.goingfora.com
Interactive information on cancer treatment and scans. Includes descriptions from both staff and patients.
Macmillan Cancer Support
www.macmillan.org.uk
Practical, emotional and financial support for people with cancer. Please note that Macmillan Cancer Support has merged with Cancerbackup.
Maggie’s Cancer Caring Centres
www.maggiescentres.org
Drop-in cancer information and support centres located in several towns and cities around the UK.
References used in the production of this page.
1 Watson E et al. The PSA test and prostate cancer: information for primary care. NHS Cancer Screening Programmes, Sheffield; 2002.
2 Watson E et al. The PSA test and prostate cancer: information for primary care. NHS Cancer Screening Programmes, Sheffield; 2002.
3 Watson E et al. The PSA test and prostate cancer: information for primary care. NHS Cancer Screening Programmes, Sheffield; 2002.
4 National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence. Prostate Cancer: Diagnosis and Treatment; Full Guideline. 2008
5 Eichler K et al. Diagnostic value of systematic prostate biopsy methods in the investigation for prostate cancer: a systematic review. Centre for Reviews and Dissemination, University of York; 2005.
6 Berney, D M (2007). The case for modifying the Gleason grading system. BJU Int, 100 ( 4), p.725-726
7 Royal College of Radiologists Clinical Oncology Information Network, British Association of Urological Surgeons. Guidelines on the management of prostate cancer; 1999.