Finding out you have cancer is life-changing, frightening and devastating. You don’t know what to think about your future and it effects you in a number of ways. You become extremely stressed, which can lead you to depression or heart attack according to a new study.
According to PLoS Medicine, researchers found that rates of suicide increased after one week and cardiovascular events increased after a year of men being newly diagnosed with prostate cancer. The cause of this is primarily due to the emotional stress associated with the prostate cancer diagnosis.
Helping Your Loved One with Prostate Cancer Diagnosis
To help your loved one cope with prostate cancer diagnosis to prevent suicide and cardiovascular events, it’s important to be there for him/her and provide support.
- Understand that this is a life altering event and many people fear the worst when hearing this news.
- They need to feel that they are being heard and that their feelings are validated.
- Take some time with the person to discuss the news and research what prostate cancer is, the treatment involved and the positives of its outcome.
- Don’t deny the possibilities of death, but don’t dwell on it. It’s important to keep cancer patients positive to maximum the benefits of treatment.
- Find examples of people who have successfully recovered from prostate cancer on the Internet and share them with your loved one.
- Explore all of the patient’s fears and find answers to his/her questions.
With patience and loving support, you can help your loved one cope with prostate cancer diagnosis.
Photo Courtesy of: Candida.Performa on Flickr
Mon, Dec 14, 2009
Health, Stress