Getting the right support: taking the first steps when you’ve just been diagnosed

If you’ve recently been diagnosed with prostate cancer, you may be experiencing several different emotions, frustrations and concerns. But there are lots of things you can do to find information and get the support you need.

Here are a few steps you can take to help regain a feeling of control over what’s happening in your life.

Understand your diagnosis and treatment options

Your treatment options will depend on your cancer type – most importantly, the stage and the grade. You’ll have different tests to find this out, and you’ll hear lots of medical terms that may be new to you. 

It can be a minefield trying to get your head around all the information, let alone remembering it all – especially when you might be feeling shocked or upset. Our guide for newly diagnosed men is a good place to start. You might also find it helpful to read Gordon McMurray’s guide to navigating complex health information, too.

When it comes to treatment for prostate cancer, there’s no ‘one size fits all’ approach. Treatment plans are based on several factors, like the type of cancer you have and the effect that treatment might have on your daily life – which can be different for each man. Make a list of questions and concerns, and take them with you to your next appointment. This might help you and your doctor decide what’s best for you.

If you need more information about treatments and side effects, you can also speak to one of our Specialist Nurses, or read more about different treatments.

It’s also a good idea to find out who your clinical nurse specialist (CNS) is and how to contact them. They can help if you have specific questions about your treatment plan and aftercare.

Find the right support for you

You might find it helpful to take a friend or family member with you to your appointments for support. They may be able to help you take in all the information or make notes. 

Even with lots of support, some men find that having cancer is an isolating and confusing experience, and your family and friends may also struggle. Whatever support you need, we’re here for you and your loved ones.

• Our Specialist Nurses can help you understand your diagnosis and treatment, and offer support to help you work through your emotions. They can also suggest questions to ask your specialist team. For example, you might want to find out more about the side effects, or what your aftercare and follow-up will look like. 
  
  
• Our Sexual Support service gives you and your partner the space to talk openly about changes in your sex life and any problems you might be experiencing. You can call our Specialist Nurses on 0800 074 8383 and ask for a Sexual Support Service Nurse, or fill in our form and a nurse will call you back at a time that suits you.

It’s also a good idea to build a support network and talk to other people who’ve been there too. Many men develop new friendships during their prostate cancer journey and you may find this particularly helpful if you live on your own. 

• Our One-to-One Peer Support service connects people whose lives have been affected by prostate cancer with trained volunteers who've been through similar experiences.
  
  
• Our online community is a space where you can read and start conversations with other men who have prostate cancer.
  
  
• You can also join a support group. Tackle Prostate Cancer can help you find an in-person group near you, and we also host an online support group for men who are being monitored on active surveillance.

Do your own research using trusted sites

It’s good to do your own research, but stick to trusted sites. Most people start by going to Google – and you can certainly find some helpful information this way. However, be especially cautious of the ‘AI overview’ that now appears at the top of search results. This is a summary of information gathered from different sources, which may not be reliable. 

Here are a few places you can go for information: 

• Prostate Cancer UK

• Macmillan

• Cancer Research UK

• Maggie’s 

For more signposting to other good sources of information, you can also talk to our Specialist Nurses.

Focus on what you can control

Lots of men ask what they can do before treatment – either to improve their outcome or reduce the risk of their cancer coming back (this is known as recurrence). They often ask about lifestyle and diet changes, or complementary treatments like meditation, massage, aromatherapy and reflexology. 

We don’t know for sure if these things can reduce your risk of recurrence, but they can help you regain a sense of control and improve your general health and wellbeing. 

Take regular exercise and improve your diet

It’s good to eat a mix of different foods, so you get a range of nutrients. You could try some new foods to add more variety to your meals. Why not try a new fruit or vegetable each week?

At the same time, cut down on unhealthy foods and drinks – particularly those high in sugar, saturated fat, salt, red and processed meat, and those with added flavourings or preservatives.

If you’ve been advised to lose weight, speak to your doctor or nurse about getting some support with this. You can find out more on our diet and physical activity fact sheet. 

If you’re due to start radiotherapy, speak to your radiotherapy team first. They may advise waiting until after the treatment because weight loss could affect the accuracy of the treatment. They may also recommend a special diet while you’re undergoing radiotherapy to reduce how much gas you produce in your bowel, because this can push the prostate out of position.

Get enough rest, relaxation and sleep

Yoga and meditation can help reduce stress and anxiety – and you can talk to your GP if you’re struggling. There are many other organisations that may be able to help, too. And there are more ideas on our Wellbeing Hub to get the support you need.

Pelvic floor muscle exercises are recommended before and after surgery, if you’re having your prostate removed. They’re also helpful if you’re having other treatments and want to improve your bladder and bowel control. After surgery, they’ll help with any problems you may have getting an erection too. Try to get into the habit of doing them before treatment. Find out more in our pelvic floor muscle exercises fact sheet.

Other ways to gain a sense of control

If you smoke, ask your GP or specialist team for support with quitting. Smoking can interfere with some prostate cancer treatments and increase your risk of side effects. You'll find lots of support on the NHS website, including a Quit Smoking app.

Accept support from partners, family, friends and work colleagues – especially with practical matters like gardening and shopping. You might also need to talk to your employer about taking time off if needed.

You might be able to claim benefits to help, too. And financial assistance from other organisations may be available to you. Macmillan has more information on this.

Support with hormone therapy and chemotherapy

Hormone therapy is a very common and effective treatment for prostate cancer – both in combination with radiotherapy and as a long-term treatment to keep your prostate cancer under control. If you’re going to be on hormone therapy for longer than six months, you may want to find out more about how it can affect your quality of life and long-term health. 

You can join our free hormone therapy classes – ADT: The Low Down – where you can learn, ask and chat about the side effects. In the class, you can discuss your concerns directly with a Specialist Nurse and hear about the experiences other men have been through.

If you’re having chemotherapy, talk to your specialist team or GP about how to stay safe while your immune system is lowered. Ask for guidance on when to have vaccinations for Covid and flu, as this will depend on your situation. And if you need dental work, speak with your team – particularly if you’re taking bisphosphonates.

We’re here for you

Living with prostate cancer may bring uncertainty and difficult days, and it’s normal to feel overwhelmed or unsure about what’s coming next. There’s no one way to navigate your journey, but you don’t have to do it alone. Support is available from healthcare professionals, loved ones and men who’ve been through similar experiences. 

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