Peter's experience
“I’ve got cancer” is a pretty scary thing to tell anyone. I was worried that my relatives would be very sad or act differently around me.
I was worried that my relatives would be very sad or act differently around me.
Once I’d said it the first time, I tried to be open about it and not avoid the subject.
It helps to talk about side effects like fatigue because then my family can understand why I’m not always able to do everything I want to do.
My family find it very reassuring when I talk with them openly about things. They want to know what’s going on and they like to help. They’ve said that it means they don’t worry about what is going on because they know I’m not hiding anything from them.
My family want to know what’s going on and they like to help.
Talking to my brothers about their risk
I knew that my brothers were at increased risk of prostate cancer because I had it and our dad had it too.
When I was diagnosed I phoned all my brothers. It’s quite difficult to say, “I’ve got cancer.” It’s even more difficult to say, “And you might too”. I explained about prostate cancer and their risk and said that they should probably go and talk to their GPs.
All of them went to their GPs and thankfully all had a normal PSA level. But my brothers are going to keep an eye on their PSA levels and check they don’t rise.