Caregivers take on many roles when supporting someone with prostate cancer. Remember, you can always ask for help.

Prostate cancer affects about 1 in 8 people with a prostate in their lifetime, but the journey can be as unique as each individual. Treatment protocols can disrupt daily living and introduce uncertainty about a person’s future and overall well-being. Emotional, physical, and routine changes are often challenging for people and their caregivers.

Caring for someone with prostate cancer means taking on several roles. You can be a vital support, an advocate, and a source of comfort. There’s no one-size-fits-all training manual for caregiving, but you can start to prepare by learning more about how to be the support your loved one needs and how you can take care of yourself.

Communication can be a central part of your role as a caregiver. It starts with developing your knowledge about prostate cancer and what it means for your loved one. You can attend medical appointments to learn about treatment protocols. Other actions you can take include:

  • taking notes of a doctor’s advice and recommendations
  • asking for resources to learn more about treatment side effects, nutrition, and exercise
  • learning about ways to manage the physical effects of treatment

You might help your loved one understand what they are facing as they prepare to undergo treatment. You can also act as their advocate or assistant in the healthcare system. You can:

  • help your loved one ask questions of doctors and care professionals
  • ask patient care coordinators for assistance to access supplemental healthcare such as home support
  • coordinate with your insurance company about coverage requirements

It can be easy to get overwhelmed with the “big picture” concerns, but small and meaningful steps can benefit your loved one’s well-being. You can:

  • keep a healthcare journal with vital contacts, a symptom log, and medications
  • jot down questions as they arise to ask at the next appointment
  • check in with your loved one about how they are feeling

The flow of information between people involved in the cancer journey can make it easier for your loved one to get what they need and for both of you to be supported along the way.

Prostate cancer can result in a number of physical changes. Some people experience bowel and bladder incontinence. Treatment protocols can make a person feel very tired and sick, so they are less able to do activities they once did.

As a caregiver, you might help with intimate care such as bathing and dressing. You may also administer certain medications. Consider talking with your loved one about their comfort level with this kind of care, as some families prefer to get support from others, such as paid in-home care professionals.

You and your loved one can talk about new ways to organize the running of the household. Remember that this can also be a time to look to others for help. You can:

  • take on household tasks your loved one cannot do
  • ask for support with grocery shopping, meal preparation, cleaning, and driving
  • decide as a team to put off some tasks, like organizing the home or doing maintenance work, during treatment

Your loved one’s prostate cancer diagnosis can mean your priorities will shift. Give yourself space to change how you allocate your time and energy, so both you and your loved one are best supported.

Prostate cancer can take an emotional toll on you and your loved one. You and they might wrestle with unknowns about the future as well as the stresses in the here and now. Besides looking after practical concerns, it’s important to seek and find emotional support.

As a caregiver, you can:

  • listen to your loved one’s feelings without judgment
  • respect their care and medical decisions
  • give your loved one space for time alone

Prostate cancer can affect intimate relations between partners, as the condition can result in changes to sexual function. Erectile dysfunction, loss of sex drive, and other differences can mean partners relate to each other in a new way before and after treatment.

Partners can get help from health professionals who specialize in sexual concerns to support this transition. They can provide emotional, medical, and mental health support for people as they manage this aspect of the journey. Many continue to have satisfying intimate lives after prostate cancer.

Caregivers often take on a lot, which can become very challenging over time. Caregiving means finding the resources to look after yourself when you need to. You can:

  • take a break to do an enjoyable activity
  • arrange for respite care so a professional takes over while you have time away
  • ask family members and friends to take on tasks like driving, cooking, or other relief
  • talk with a mental health professional if you are no longer caring for yourself

Cancer affects entire families, and there’s no need to take on the burden alone. By seeking out help, you can work with others to navigate this challenging time.

Caregivers are essential to the prostate cancer journey. You might take on several roles as you help your loved one navigate this time, helping with practical, emotional, and informational support. Remember to check in on your well-being and ask for help to meet your needs during this time.