How can I help myself?
Everyone has their own way of dealing with prostate cancer, but you may find some of the following suggestions helpful.
- Find out about your treatment, so you know what to expect and what your options are.
- Find out about the side effects of your treatment, so you know what to expect, and how you can try to manage them.
- Be active as you can. Physical activity such as gentle walking can improve your mood.
- Think about what you eat and drink. Some men find they manage better by aiming for a healthy, balanced diet.
- Share what you’re thinking – find someone you can talk to. It could be someone close, or someone trained to listen, like a counsellor or your medical team.
- Take time out to look after yourself. When you feel up to it, learn some techniques to manage stress and to relax – like listening to music or breathing exercises.
- Set yourself goals and things to look forward to.
- Find more strategies in our booklet, Living with and after prostate cancer: A guide to physical, emotional and practical issues.
- Get more ideas about how to look after yourself from local cancer support centres as well as Macmillan Cancer Support and Maggie’s Centres.