- 17 -
accessHealthNews.net
September 2024
Volume 10 | Issue No. 88
As with any disease, the diagnosis of
prostate cancer impacts the whole
family. But unlike other diagnoses,
prostate cancer often directly affects
significant others. A study by the European
Association of Urology questioned 56
women on how prostate cancer affected
the lives of their husbands. Nearly half
of these women (46 percent) reported
that their partner's health problems had
affected their own health. Dana Kababik's
husband was diagnosed with prostate
cancer in 2005. "When you hear the
words, 'you have prostate cancer,' pretty
much everything stops," Kababik told U.S.
News and World Report.
Kababik's jargon is common among
partners with prostate cancer, Dr. Andrew
Roth, told U.S. News and World Report.
Roth is a psychiatrist at Memorial Sloan
Kettering Cancer Center. "There are lots of
spouses who will tell me cancer didn't just
hit the husband, it hit [the wife] as well,"
he said. Kababik encourages women to
cultivate a support system. "You don't
have to do it alone," she said. "You can't
be there for your man if you don't take
care of yourself," Kababik added.
Us TOO is a grassroots organization started
in 1990 by prostate cancer survivors to
serve prostate cancer survivors, their
spouses, partners and families. It provides
the following recommendations for wives
and partners on this challenging journey:
• Stand by your man in the doctor's office.
Attend medical appointments with
your husband or partner, if possible, as
you may be able to discern additional
information, and serve as his champion
in the treatment process.
• Do not be afraid to ask questions.
Diagnosis can be scary and treatment
options are often confusing. Help your
loved one to investigate his condition
and the treatment options available.
READ MORE
Common phrases like 'man up' and 'be a man' may discourage
men from visiting a medical provider when needed. Although it
is up to each man and woman to seek medical attention, a little
support from loved ones may go a long way.
