Tell Your Family and Friends you Have Prostate Cancer
If you have received a positive diagnosis for prostate cancer, one of the most difficult tasks you will immediately be facing is having to tell your family and friends about your condition. Before you decide do so, you should talk to your doctor and have a thorough understanding of your condition, how severe it is and what your prognosis is.
Instructions
When to Tell Your Family and Friends You Have Prostate Cancer
1. Take time to digest the news yourself if you have just received a prostate cancer diagnosis. Experts agree it's best if you've come to terms with your diagnosis yourself before you tell others.
2. Seek a second opinion on any prostate cancer diagnosis you receive if there is any doubt at all. Gather as much information as you can about the stage your prostate cancer is at.
3. Learn all you can about prostate cancer. Your family and friends are going to turn to you for answers when you tell them you have prostate cancer. Knowing all you can about your condition also makes you better equipped to fight it.
4. Tell your family and friends when you're ready. You are the only person who can ultimately determine when it's the best time to share this kind of news.
Tell Your Family and Friends You Have Prostate Cancer
5. Tell immediate family members first. Leave the task of telling other members of your family to them if you haven't the strength to do it yourself.
6. Learn talk to children about prostate cancer, if you have any. People often choose to omit details that may frighten children, and you should be prepared to offer reassurance. When, how and how much you tell your children depends a great deal on their age and their maturity level. Your doctor or a counselor can help you decide what course of action is best.
7. Choose a time when they're not busy. For instance, telling a person right before they have to go to work is not an example of a good time to have such a conversation.
8. Remain calm to the greatest possible degree when telling people you have prostate cancer. Their reaction will, in large part, depend on yours.
9. Stay positive, and remember that prostate cancer is not often fatal. Keep your health up, eat according to your doctor's guidelines, and remember that most men who contract prostate cancer eventually pass away from unrelated causes. This also important information to share with your friends and loved ones.
Tags: prostate cancer, Family Friends Have, Friends Have, Friends Have Prostate, Have Prostate Cancer, Tell Your
