A Holistic Look at Emotional Burdens After a Prostate Cancer Diagnosis

A prostate cancer diagnosis is not just a medical challenge; it also carries a heavy emotional burden for patients and their families, according to Dr. Brian Keith McNeil, who takes a holistic view of the disease.

Drawing on his personal experience, having lost his father to prostate cancer when he was a teenager, McNeil stressed the far-reaching impact of a diagnosis. As part of its Speaking Out video series, on behalf of ZERO-End Prostate Cancer, CURE spoke with McNeil, vice chair of the Department of Urology at SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University, about managing the emotional and mental health impact of prostate cancer for patients and caregivers.

McNeil said that when faced with a diagnosis, people often turn to “Dr. Google,” which can lead them down a dark path of worst-case scenarios. He added that if these mental health issues are not addressed, they can lead to depression and anxiety, affecting family structure, work performance and even a child’s schoolwork.

For caregivers, McNeil advised being empathetic, patient and present. He stressed that it is important to be willing to help and to ask questions. He also said that it is OK for patients and caregivers to not be OK, and that vulnerability is key to seeking help. If a patient or caregiver opens up to someone and doesn’t get the response they want, McNeil said there are others who can help.

McNeil recommended several resources for those struggling with a cancer diagnosis. He said support groups are incredibly helpful and can be found in person at community organizations or places of worship, as well as online. He also suggested that speaking with a therapist or other mental health professional can be beneficial.

When looking for information, McNeil urged people to be careful of what they find online. He recommended seeking information from trusted organizations like Zero-End Prostate Cancer, the American Urological Association and the American Cancer Society, which have vetted resources.

McNeil said that Zero-End Prostate Cancer has a variety of resources available to help patients and caregivers, including podcasts, online support groups, and one-on-one advisors. He emphasized that patients are not alone in their journey and that there are people and organizations available to help them get the care they need.