How can friends and family support a loved one with prostate cancer?

Prostate cancer impacts not only the person diagnosed but also their loved ones, including family and friends. It’s normal to feel a range of emotions—sadness, fear, anger, or even numbness—when someone you care about is diagnosed. Here’s how you can offer support:

• Take Time: Give yourself and your loved one space to adjust. Be patient and gentle as you navigate the ups and downs together.
• Find Support: Reach out to trusted family members, friends, or support groups for help. Encourage your loved one to connect with health professionals and community resources. Emotional support is just as crucial as medical care.
• Speak Up: Check in with your loved one about how they’re feeling and share your own feelings too. Let them know you want to be there for them, but respect their choices and boundaries. Conversations about intimacy may be tough, but listening without judgment and offering reassurance can help.
• Take Action: Small gestures, like spending time together, preparing meals, or helping with daily tasks, can mean a lot. Simply being there can provide comfort and show your support.
  
• Be a Team: Prostate cancer can be overwhelming to face alone. Create a strong support network with family, friends, healthcare providers, and community groups.

For more information or to join a support group, contact the Walnut Foundation.