Discovering you have prostate cancer can come as a blow, especially for men who have been vigilant about having their PSA levels checked on a yearly basis. But vigilance doesn’t, unfortunately, guarantee protection against prostate cancer, nor does it ensure that any cancer cells present in the prostate won’t eventually form a tumour. If or when they do, more serious decisions are called for. In many cases, treatment to deal with a prostate tumour will require either surgery or radiation therapy, and the first major demand on the ‘patient’ may be to decide, in consultation with specialists, which road they wish to go down.
To help you decide, be sure to take a companion with you to your specialist appointments. Take a pen and paper, as well, to note down questions as they arise. In the public health system, at least, specialists are not always available to talk to you for an extended period of time, but if you have further questions after you leave the appointment, do not hesitate to speak to an oncology nurse. They will almost always be able to answer your questions, and if they can’t, will pass them on to your specialist for clarification.
Regardless of the treatment you eventually choose, there are a number of important steps you can take to prepare for it. The first is to be well informed. Arming yourself with information enables you to feel more of an active participant in your treatment and less of a ‘victim of cancer.’ It will boost your confidence and those of your loved ones to know there is a plan to deal with the cancer, and also to get you back on your feet at the conclusion of treatment. For this reason, welcome all the literature the hospital offers, and read it thoroughly. You can also make enquiries via The Prostate Cancer Foundation NZ, preferably through your local branch. As well as offering further information, the Foundation will be able to put you in touch with people who have been through the various treatments themselves. These knowledgeable, understanding, volunteers will be able to tell you, first hand, how the treatments impacted them. It can be encouraging to listen to their stories.
Once you have made your decision about treatment, you may want to think about any costs involved, and if you can receive any help with them. National Travel Assistance (NTA) is a government-funded scheme which can, depending on circumstances, meet some or all of the costs of travel and accommodation related to attending treatment. Check your eligibility here, and also listen carefully to any advice on this subject offered by hospital staff. If your eligibility for funding depends on your having a Community Services card, and you don’t already have one, apply for it immediately if you are entitled to.
There will usually be a period of time between a diagnosis and treatment, but some of the intervening period will be taken up with specialist appointments to help with treatment planning. Use the free days you do have to attend to any pressing jobs around the house, and in stocking up the pantry and freezer with easy-to-heat meals and basic groceries. If you live alone, arrange for pet care while you are having surgery or radiotherapy, and for someone to walk your dog if you have one, until you are back on your feet. Arrange for a neighbour to collect your mail, and for a friend or family member to mow your lawns and take out your wheelie bins until you are able to resume these tasks yourself. Accept offers from friends and family to drive you to and from appointments, or if you are driving yourself, enquire about designated hospital car parks for oncology patients.
Arming yourself with information, and preparing for treatment in practical ways not only helps you feel in control, but also involves others so you do not feel so alone. If you are faced with a prostate tumour diagnosis, aim to be as proactive as you can in the days ahead.