Psychosocial Support

Looking after wellbeing, not just the cancer

A diagnosis of prostate cancer, and the treatment that follows, can affect more than the body. Many men experience periods of worry, low mood, or changes to identity and relationships during and after treatment.¹ Paying attention to these aspects of wellbeing is part of good cancer care.

The aim of this page is to point you to trusted support resources and to outline the ways Urology NSW can help connect you with them. It is not intended as a substitute for individual mental-health assessment or treatment.

Common experiences

• Anxiety at diagnosis, during treatment decisions, and around follow-up appointments.
• Low mood or loss of motivation, particularly if treatment side effects are ongoing.
• Changes in how a man sees himself, his role at home or at work, and his sense of intimacy.
• Sleep disturbance.
• Relationship strain, particularly where sexual function or continence has changed.

These reactions are common, and support is available.

When to seek help

Talk to your GP, Dr Kooner, or one of the services listed below if:

• Low mood or anxiety is ongoing (for example, most days for two weeks or more).
• You are losing interest in things that usually matter to you.
• Sleep, appetite, or concentration is significantly affected.
• You are having thoughts of self-harm or suicide. In this case, please seek urgent help: call 000, go to an emergency department, or call Lifeline on 13 11 14.

Involving partners and family

Prostate-cancer care affects partners and families as well. Joint appointments, shared information, and couple-based counselling can be very helpful, particularly around sexual rehabilitation and continence recovery. See Sexual Rehabilitation After Prostatectomy and Continence Recovery.

Trusted external support services (Australia)

• Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia (PCFA) – support groups, telenursing, and patient resources. pcfa.org.au
• Cancer Council NSW – information and support, including the 13 11 20 information line. cancercouncil.com.au · Call 13 11 20.
• Beyond Blue – support for anxiety and depression. beyondblue.org.au · Call 1300 22 4636.
• Lifeline – 24-hour crisis support. Call 13 11 14.
• MensLine Australia – counselling for men on emotional health and relationships. Call 1300 78 99 78.

Exercise and nutrition

Exercise and sensible nutrition are an important part of recovery and longer-term wellbeing for men with prostate cancer.

• Exercise and Sports Science Australia (ESSA) has a position statement recommending regular aerobic and resistance exercise for people with cancer, tailored to individual ability.² An accredited exercise physiologist can help build a suitable program.
• Cancer Council Australia provides evidence-based information on healthy eating for people with cancer. cancer.org.au
• Pelvic-floor training remains central to continence recovery after prostatectomy – see Continence Recovery.

Any exercise program should take account of bone health (particularly for men on androgen deprivation therapy), cardiovascular risk, and any mobility or joint issues. Advice from a GP or exercise physiologist is recommended before starting a new program.

How Urology NSW can help

Dr Kooner and the clinic team can help connect patients with the resources above, coordinate with the GP, and involve the men's health pharmacist where medication or device education is part of the plan. Counselling and mental-health referrals are arranged through your GP or directly with the services listed, depending on what is most appropriate.

• Contact Urology NSW.
• Call the rooms on 02 8382 6980.