Support groups help patients to make decisions regarding treatment for prostate cancer. The groups can provide a comfortable environment whereby men and their families can obtain information on the experience of dealing with prostate cancer. Learning that you have prostate cancer brings up a lot of feelings you may find hard to deal with. It is only natural to be concerned about treatment, side effects, the future, and how your diagnosis will affect you and your loved ones.
Dealing with Prostate Cancer
Learn to ask questions of the healthcare team. Inquire about your pathology reports, x-rays, and other tests ordered. Become familiar with prostate cancer treatments in order to understand why the physician recommended a particular treatment for you. The decision regarding a treatment option should be discussed thoroughly with you and your physician. Get informed about your condition by writing down questions, and presenting them during the clinic visit. Once a treatment decision is decided upon, follow the recommendations of the healthcare team by getting prepared for the treatment mentally, and physically.
Why a Support Group?
Prostate Cancer Support Groups provide a good resource from other men and families who have experienced prostate cancer. Participation in a program such as this will provide information and peer support to assist in the recovery process. A support group will offer men an opportunity to hear from a variety of specialists involved in cancer treatments. The environment of a support group will encourage men to discuss their concerns and problems associated with prostate cancer. Support is also available for spouses. The prostate cancer support group will offer one-to-one patient support from cancer survivors. News and information about prostate cancer, including research and treatment, will be discussed in a monthly newsletter. The newsletter will also include messages from other men living with prostate cancer.
Meeting Times
Various prostate cancer support groups meet in the Birmingham area. US TOO International is a charitable volunteer driven organization funded by donations from individuals, memorial gifts, and grants from different agencies, either medical professionals, pharmaceutical companies and other companies. US TOO meets every third Tuesday of the month at the American Cancer Society facility at 11:30 a.m. Information concerning the group may be obtained by calling Sanford Jeames, Patient Education Coordinator and group facilitator at (205) 975-9819. Other groups include Man to Man, a group sponsored by the American Cancer Society. Information can be obtained by calling 1-800-ACS-2345. An additional Man to Man group meets every third Wednesday at the Birmingham Veteran’s Administration Hospital in room 3D146 at 11:00 a.m. Interested parties should contact Chaplain John Morris at (205) 497-1874. A prostate cancer group also meets in Alabaster, Alabama at the Pelham YMCA every fourth Wednesday at 11:00 a.m. Free lunches are provided during the lunch time meetings.
Where Can I Get More Information?
Other information may be obtained by contacting any healthcare facility, and inquiring about prostate cancer. There are a number of internet sites available. These include—
www.cancer.org
www.prostate-cancer.org
www.capcure.org
www.afud.org
These are credible sites sponsored by healthcare organizations. A number of others exist sponsored by pharmaceutical companies as well as other hospitals. Participation in a prostate cancer support group promotes opportunities for greater public understanding of prostate cancer, particularly the importance of early detection and treatment.