If you’re confronting death because of prostate cancer, we’re here for you

"I’m happy to talk about dying because I think it breaks down the taboo, but it can be difficult," says Peter (pictured above), who was diagnosed with incurable advanced prostate cancer in 2013, aged 70.

"I’ve found that everyone reacts differently when you talk about dying and sometimes not how you’d expect. But most people are curious."

Most men diagnosed with prostate cancer won’t die from it, with more than 80% surviving their disease for five years or more in the UK. But 11,000 men do die from prostate cancer every year – that’s more than one man every hour.

These men aren’t numbers or statistics. Like Peter, they're dads, husbands, partners, golf buddies, best men and pub mates.

Lifting the veil on a social taboo

So to mark the start of Dying Matters Awareness Week in the UK – which aims to encourage people to talk about dying, death and bereavement – we want to help lift the veil on that most taboo of topics when it comes to the most common cancer in men.

Because while we’re fighting to help more men survive prostate cancer, we’re also here to support the men living with advanced prostate cancer, and their friends and families.

And thanks to people like Peter sharing their experiences of advanced prostate cancer with us, we have lots of information about approaching the end of life and how it can impact you and your family.

• What to expect
  Find out what to expect as your cancer progresses and how to manage problems, such as pain or sickness.
• Thinking and planning ahead
  Learn about end of life care and support you can get, where you can be cared for, and who might be able to help.
• Supporting someone
  Find out ways to support someone who is dying and how you can get support for yourself.
• Thoughts and feelings
  Read about thoughts and feelings you might have and ideas for how to deal with them.
• Personal stories
  Read the personal experiences of men with advanced prostate cancer and family members of men who have died from prostate cancer.

It's reassuring to talk

You and your loved ones can also talk to our Specialist Nurses on the phone or online about dealing with a diagnosis, treatment options, and getting support.

"People find it reassuring to talk," says Peter, who recommends being open with children about dying from prostate cancer and not being afraid of upsetting other people.

After this week, we hope many more people will feel reassured to talk about death and prostate cancer with their friends and family too.

Dying Matters Awareness Week 2017 runs from 8-14 May. Find out more at Dying Matters.