Don't fight cancer alone, get professional help
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To be diagnosed with a serious or even life threatening physical illness is not infrequently completely unexpected.
There may be no pain, no discomfort, perhaps few if any symptoms.
Some cancers may go undetected for a considerable period of time. Prostate cancer may fall into this category.
Sometimes, there may be a little discomfort or difficulty associated with emptying the bladder.
Perhaps the only symptom is a gradually increasing number of times that he needs to empty his bladder, especially at night.
Often the first hint that something may be wrong is when as a result of a PSA test and a digital rectal examination the doctor refers a man to a specialist urologist.
Even then there is an overwhelming desire to believe that there is nothing wrong and the whole thing is really just an over cautious doctor and it will all turn out to be a false alarm.
Then the specialist delivers the news that there is in fact a malignant cancer active in the prostate gland and for a few moments' time stands still.
Frequently the first emotion is anger. Then the patients emotions swing wildly between complete disbelief - "THERE MUST BE SOME MISTAKE" and "WHY ME???".
I got my own first hand encounter with these emotions when my partner, having been diagnosed free of prostate cancer was told by a different urologist, just eighteen months later that he had inoperable prostate cancer with a Gleeson score of seven.
His moods changed rapidly between an immense confidence that he could beat the disease to deep depression.
This reaction is a clearly defined condition known as traumatic stress and almost all people may suffer from this condition to a more or less degree.
At the same time a patient's partner and close family are also likely to experience similar emotions, reflecting those of someone who is near and dear to them.
One of the fundamental needs to beat cancer in any form is a healthy life style AND a positive attitude.
Just as physical life style needs to undergo a process of review and management to provide the body with the physical resources needed, an urgent review of mental attitude is often needed.
During the weeks and months following a diagnosis of prostate cancer there will be tests, more tests and then treatment such chemical therapy, x-ray therapy and surgery to beat the disease.
For many people this will be the first time that they have ever faced such a battle.
Many patients and their families quickly become confused and angry with what they consider to be a lack of information about their particular case. I frequently here the expression "I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO THINK OR DO".
The plain fact of the matter is that beating any serious disease must be tackled by a powerful team of body and mind working together.
Although there is a confusing wealth of information on such subjects as diet and exercise, mental attitude has until now been basically ignored.
Left unguided the mind becomes bogged down with unanswered questions, rumours and negative thoughts.
This is precisely opposite to what is needed. Questions must not be left unanswered and accurate authoritative answers must be provided.
It is quite rightly the exclusive domain of doctors and specialists to answer specific questions on medical procedures and treatments.
It is the responsibility of my profession to ensure that a cancer patient and their partners are able to form a mentally positive bond to beat the disease.
The specialist urologists will tell the prostate cancer patient whether they are likely to become incontinent or sexually dysfunctional or suffer any other long term consequences from the disease and treatment.
It is mine and my fellow psychologist's duty of care to all of you to help you and your partner manage and maintain the highest quality of life regardless of handicaps or disabilities.
It is important that if a man or his partner experience doubts or feel that are going to have trouble coping they seek the advice of a registered counselling psychologist as quickly as possible.
Sleep disturbed nights, doubts, depression and family discord IS NOT what the doctor ordered.
Do not allow doubts to build and questions to go unanswered. Don't listen to ridiculous rumour's or become dependent on so called miracle cures.
Get the right advice and right management plan for your future, exclusively from those people who have been approved by medical authorities to treat and counsel you.
Historically many people could not afford hours of professional counselling but all that has now changed. The Federal Government recently instructed MedicareTM to subsidise trauma counselling supplied by approved and registered psychologists.
People who are diagnosed by their doctor as in stress or suffering from mental trauma may now be referred to a MedicareTM approved psychologist for up to twelve hours of counselling.
While some psychologists may charge a small gap fee, many do not charge the fee, meaning that the consultation is fully covered by MedicareTM.
At this point of time only a General Practitioner can refer a patient for counselling. A specialist can not.
Therefore your urologist would need you to refer back to your doctor if he believed that trauma or stress is playing a part in treatment. This may change in the future.
It is however essential to understand that the professional counsellor can only get you on the right track for the rest of your life, not permanently be at your side.
But life style management and support is forever. This is where the Prostate Cancer Foundation and the affiliated support groups become so important.
I urge every prostate cancer patient and their partners and their families to become actively involved in your local Prostate Cancer Support Group.
The camaraderie, support and friendship of others who have fought and won or are still fighting can be inspirational.
A well run support group is an invaluable adjunct in the battle against cancer.
Lobbying is currently underway to place cancer support groups under the sponsorship of professional counsellors approved by both MedicareTM and, in the case of prostate cancer, the Prostate Cancer Foundation.
To unashamedly paraphrase there are "Three persons in one good". Your doctor, your urologist and your counsellor.
All three will form a hard working team to help you beat, what is now Australia's most prolific cancer.
JFM
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