Being told that you have prostate cancer may be one of the most stressful events that occur in your lifetime. After a cancer diagnosis, you may be overwhelmed, worried about what happens next, or thinking about its impact on your life. The many emotions that follow a prostate cancer diagnosis make a major impression on your psychological state, affecting both your mental and physical health.

Research shows that there is a significant connection between emotional healing and physical well-being. Though a prostate cancer diagnosis can be difficult to cope with, there are multiple things you can do to begin your emotional healing process.
 

  1. Join a Malecare Support Group

After a prostate cancer diagnosis, the feeling of “no one understands what I’m going through” is completely normal. Even when surrounded by caring friends and family, feeling isolated is one of the most common effects of a diagnosis. It’s important to share your feelings with others, especially those that can relate to your emotions. Joining a support group can be a powerful tool in coping with your diagnosis. Cancer support groups can be found locally or online and provide free support to help manage your life from treatment to recovery.   
 

  1. Do Your Research

The initial shock of a cancer diagnosis can really get your mind wandering. What’s most important is to do your research and get informed on the facts. Take steps to learn more about your cancer diagnosis, but make sure to do so at a pace that is most comfortable to you. For some, immediate information might be just what they need to cope, but for others, less information may be more beneficial at first. Learn as much about your cancer as possible and ask your cancer care team or other professionals exactly what your diagnosis means.

  1. Start a Fundraiser

Cancer is now a cultural commonality– 40% of Americans will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime, and 54% have a family member who was diagnosed. Organizing a fundraiser for Malecare can be an important step to remind yourself that you are not alone in this journey, and can bring light to a motivating community.  Holding a fundraiser can allow you to take your mind off your own worries, and help you become a player in the bigger picture. Registering your event online through a platform for nonprofits, like this one, will allow you to share your fundraising event with the entirety of this community, no matter their location. Feeling support in a new way can inspire you to take action and emphasize that you can make a difference in the face of cancer.
 

  1. Take Time to Yourself

Just as it is important to find comfort in others, it is equally as important to reflect individually. Make sure to schedule time with yourself to process all that is going on, and to consider your current thoughts and emotions. Taking time each week to journal is a great way to jot down your feelings throughout your journey, and watch your insights evolve every step of the way. A mere fifteen to thirty minutes may be all you need to heal emotionally. Taking time to do something you enjoy each day, whether it be reading, biking, cooking, or listening to music can be a significant reminder to focus on things you can control, instead of what you can’t.

There is a lot you can learn from Malecare and the resources we offer. Be sure to check out our site for information on support groups, research, and taking action.