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Healthwatch
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Healthwatch
Supporting A Loved One With Prostate Cancer: A Guide For Caregivers
~3.7 mins read
Advice for navigating this challenging situation while providing compassionate care and also taking care of yourself.
Looking after a loved one who has prostate cancer can be overwhelming. Caregivers — usually partners, family members, or close friends — play crucial roles in supporting a patient's physical and psychological well-being. But what does that entail? You as a caregiver might not know what to say or how to help.
"Patients diagnosed with advanced cancer are facing their own mortality," says Dr. Marc Garnick, the Gorman Brothers Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School and Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, and editor in chief of the Harvard Medical School Guide to Prostate Diseases. "And they each process that in different ways."
Dr. Garnick emphasizes the need provide patients and families with the best information possible about the specifics of the diagnosis, symptoms, and available treatments. Some patients have near-miraculous responses to treatment, he says, even when they have very advanced cancer. "We let patients know that there are reasons to be optimistic, as treatments are improving on a regular basis," he says.
Communication
Dr. Garnick points out that clinicians should avoid words or phrases that can leave cancer patients feeling unempowered. A phrase like "Let's not worry about that now," for instance, is dismissive and doesn't respond to a patient's legitimate concerns. Saying "You're lucky your cancer is only stage 2" doesn't allow for the fear and anxiety a patient may have over his disease.
Along similar lines, "It's important for caregivers to be receptive to what their loved ones are saying," Dr. Garnick says. "Instead of minimizing or questioning what your loved one is telling you, try asking 'What do you need? Tell me what you think is going to help you feel better.'"
While it's natural to offer reassurance, you should also give your loved one space to express himself openly without offering quick solutions. Be aware that treatment can lead to emotional ups and downs, so expect mood fluctuations.
One of the most valuable tools you have as a caregiver is the relationship you've built with your loved one over the years. During this challenging time, remind yourself of the bonds you've created together. Shared memories, inside jokes, and mutual interests can provide strength and comfort.
Day-to-day practical support
Managing medications can be challenging. Cancer patients can take a dozen or more pills per day on varying schedules. You can help your loved one stay on track by setting up a pill organizer (available at most drugstores) that sorts medications according to when they're needed.
Patients with advanced prostate cancer are now being treated more often with drug combinations that include chemotherapy as well as hormonal therapies. Chemotherapy can leave patients feeling unusually cold, and patients may also get cold after experiencing hot flashes from hormonal therapy. So keep lots of blankets and warm hats on hand.
Collaborate on a journal where you and your loved one keep health information in one place. It should contain the names and contacts of clinicians on his team, as well as details of his treatment plan. The journal can also double as a diary where you both record treatment experiences.
You might be tasked with coordinating medical appointments. It's important to keep lists of questions you may have. Take notes so you have a record of what doctors and other people on his care team have told you. Also, you should take some time to familiarize yourself with your loved one's insurance policies or Medicare plans so you have a better understanding of what's covered.
Don't forget to take care of yourself!
As a caregiver, it's easy to get lost in your loved one's needs. But caring for someone with cancer while managing household responsibilities can also leave you feeling isolated, burned out, and even depressed. It's essential to also prioritize your own health and well-being.
Make sure that you get enough sleep and exercise. Keep up with your own checkups and screening. Try to eat well, and prepare meals ahead of time to reduce stress and save time on busy days. Take breaks! Caregiving can be intense, so take time to recharge by taking a walk, reading a book, or spending time with friends.
Here are some valuable resources that can help.
Help for Cancer Caregivers provides support on managing feelings and emotions, keeping healthy, day-to-day needs, working together, and long-distance caregiving.
The Prostate Cancer Foundation provides an array of educational materials, including a "caregiver's toolkit" that helps caregivers understand treatment options, side effects, and ways to be actively involved in the decision-making process.
The Patient Advocate Foundation offers case management services to help caregivers and patients understand insurance coverage, financial assistance programs, and other resources that can reduce the financial burden of cancer treatment.
profile/5170OIG3.jpeg.webp
Healthwatch
Supporting A Loved One With Prostate Cancer: A Guide For Caregivers
~3.7 mins read
Advice for navigating this challenging situation while providing compassionate care and also taking care of yourself.
Looking after a loved one who has prostate cancer can be overwhelming. Caregivers — usually partners, family members, or close friends — play crucial roles in supporting a patient's physical and psychological well-being. But what does that entail? You as a caregiver might not know what to say or how to help.
"Patients diagnosed with advanced cancer are facing their own mortality," says Dr. Marc Garnick, the Gorman Brothers Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School and Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, and editor in chief of the Harvard Medical School Guide to Prostate Diseases. "And they each process that in different ways."
Dr. Garnick emphasizes the need provide patients and families with the best information possible about the specifics of the diagnosis, symptoms, and available treatments. Some patients have near-miraculous responses to treatment, he says, even when they have very advanced cancer. "We let patients know that there are reasons to be optimistic, as treatments are improving on a regular basis," he says.
Communication
Dr. Garnick points out that clinicians should avoid words or phrases that can leave cancer patients feeling unempowered. A phrase like "Let's not worry about that now," for instance, is dismissive and doesn't respond to a patient's legitimate concerns. Saying "You're lucky your cancer is only stage 2" doesn't allow for the fear and anxiety a patient may have over his disease.
Along similar lines, "It's important for caregivers to be receptive to what their loved ones are saying," Dr. Garnick says. "Instead of minimizing or questioning what your loved one is telling you, try asking 'What do you need? Tell me what you think is going to help you feel better.'"
While it's natural to offer reassurance, you should also give your loved one space to express himself openly without offering quick solutions. Be aware that treatment can lead to emotional ups and downs, so expect mood fluctuations.
One of the most valuable tools you have as a caregiver is the relationship you've built with your loved one over the years. During this challenging time, remind yourself of the bonds you've created together. Shared memories, inside jokes, and mutual interests can provide strength and comfort.
Day-to-day practical support
Managing medications can be challenging. Cancer patients can take a dozen or more pills per day on varying schedules. You can help your loved one stay on track by setting up a pill organizer (available at most drugstores) that sorts medications according to when they're needed.
Patients with advanced prostate cancer are now being treated more often with drug combinations that include chemotherapy as well as hormonal therapies. Chemotherapy can leave patients feeling unusually cold, and patients may also get cold after experiencing hot flashes from hormonal therapy. So keep lots of blankets and warm hats on hand.
Collaborate on a journal where you and your loved one keep health information in one place. It should contain the names and contacts of clinicians on his team, as well as details of his treatment plan. The journal can also double as a diary where you both record treatment experiences.
You might be tasked with coordinating medical appointments. It's important to keep lists of questions you may have. Take notes so you have a record of what doctors and other people on his care team have told you. Also, you should take some time to familiarize yourself with your loved one's insurance policies or Medicare plans so you have a better understanding of what's covered.
Don't forget to take care of yourself!
As a caregiver, it's easy to get lost in your loved one's needs. But caring for someone with cancer while managing household responsibilities can also leave you feeling isolated, burned out, and even depressed. It's essential to also prioritize your own health and well-being.
Make sure that you get enough sleep and exercise. Keep up with your own checkups and screening. Try to eat well, and prepare meals ahead of time to reduce stress and save time on busy days. Take breaks! Caregiving can be intense, so take time to recharge by taking a walk, reading a book, or spending time with friends.
Here are some valuable resources that can help.
Help for Cancer Caregivers provides support on managing feelings and emotions, keeping healthy, day-to-day needs, working together, and long-distance caregiving.
The Prostate Cancer Foundation provides an array of educational materials, including a "caregiver's toolkit" that helps caregivers understand treatment options, side effects, and ways to be actively involved in the decision-making process.
The Patient Advocate Foundation offers case management services to help caregivers and patients understand insurance coverage, financial assistance programs, and other resources that can reduce the financial burden of cancer treatment.
Worldnews
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Worldnews
Israel Bombs Ports, Power Plant In Yemen As Houthis Fire More Missiles
~3.1 mins read
Israeli military attacks ports of Hodeidah, Ras-Isa and as-Salif as Houthis continue to launch missiles towards Israel. Israel’s military has bombed three ports and a power plant in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen, prompting the rebel group to fire more missiles towards Israeli territory. The Israeli military said on Sunday that it struck the ports of Hodeidah, Ras-Isa and as-Salif on the Red Sea coast as well as the Ras Kathib power plant. It said it also struck a radar system on the Galaxy Leader ship, which was seized by the Houthis and remains docked in the port of Hodeidah. There were no immediate reports of casualties. The Israeli attacks late on Sunday were the first on Yemen in almost a month and came after the military claimed that it intercepted a missile fired by the Houthis in the early hours of the day. The rebel group, which controls Yemen’s most populous areas, responded to the latest Israeli attacks by launching more missiles at Israel in the early hours of Monday. The Israeli military said two missiles were fired from Yemen, and that it attempted to intercept the projectiles. The attack set off sirens in the cities of Jerusalem, Hebron and near the Dead Sea. Israel’s emergency service said there have been no reports of injuries or impact from the projectiles. The Houthis say their attacks on Israel are in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza who are under Israeli attack. The group has fired hundreds of missiles at Israel and launched more than 100 attacks on commercial vessels in the vital Red Sea corridor, since Israel’s war on Gaza began in 2023. The Houthis paused their attacks after a ceasefire between Hamas and Israel in January, but resumed them after the United States launched attacks on Yemen on March 15, killing nearly 300 people in the weeks that followed. The latest escalation comes at a sensitive moment in the Middle East as a possible ceasefire in Israel’s war on Gaza hangs in the balance, and as Tehran weighs whether to restart negotiations over its nuclear programme following United States air strikes that damaged Iran’s most sensitive atomic sites. In Yemen on Sunday night, the Houthi-affiliated news outlet Al Masirah TV reported that strikes hit the port city of Hodeidah, while the Saba news agency confirmed the attacks on the three ports as well as the power station. A spokesman for the Houthis, Ameen Hayyan Yemeni, meanwhile, said the group’s air defences forced “a large portion” of Israel’s warplanes to retreat. Locally-manufactured surface-to-air missiles were used to respond, “causing great confusion among enemy pilots and operations rooms”, he wrote in a statement on X. Al Jazeera’s Nabil Alyousefi, reporting from the Yemeni capital, Sanaa, said the Houthis were downplaying the impact of the strikes on Hodeidah. “The Houthis say their air defences – using locally made surface-to-air missiles – were effective in responding to the Israeli assault, with sources indicating roughly 30 minutes of clashes between Houthi air defenses and Israeli forces,” Alyousefi said. “The Houthis have not reported any material or human losses so far, reassuring that their armed forces repelled all Israeli aggression. They emphasized their readiness to confront any future Israeli attacks and stated they are prepared to target Israeli territory in response,” he added. The hostilities also took place after a grenade and drone attack on a Red Sea cargo ship set the vessel on fire and forced its crew to abandon it. No group has claimed the attack, but the United Kingdom maritime agency said it matched the “established Houthi target profile“. Separately, Israeli forces also bombed Lebanon, claiming attacks on several Hezbollah targets in the country’s south as well as the eastern Bekaa region. In a statement, the military said the strikes were directed at infrastructure used for “storing and producing strategic weapons” and a “rocket launch site”. Since a November 27 ceasefire formally ended more than a year of hostilities with Hezbollah, Israel has continued sporadic strikes on Lebanon. It says the group’s activities run counter to the agreement, but does not provide evidence to back its claims. In addition to its ongoing war on the Gaza Strip, Israeli forces have launched attacks on the occupied West Bank, Syria and Iran over the past year. Follow Al Jazeera English:...
Read this story on Aljazeera
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Worldnews
LIVE: Israel Pounds Gaza, Yemen; Houthis Fire More Missiles
~0.2 mins read
Attacks come as Trump says a truce between Israel and Hamas could be reached this week. Israeli strike destroys UN school sheltering displaced in Gaza City, kills six including children Follow Al Jazeera English:...
Read this story on Aljazeera
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