Coping with metastatic prostate cancer

Metastatic prostate cancer means the cancer has spread from the prostate to other parts of the body. It is sometimes called advanced prostate cancer. 

Unfortunately, when prostate cancer is advanced, it can no longer be cured. But treatment can control it for some time and help to relieve symptoms.

Finding out that your cancer can’t be cured is distressing and can be a shock. It’s common to feel uncertain and anxious. It's normal not to be able to think about anything else.

There is support available to help you and your family cope with the emotional, practical and physical issues.

Find out about treatment for metastatic prostate cancer

Talking about metastatic prostate cancer

Your friends and relatives might be able to support you and talk to you about your cancer. Sharing can help to increase trust and support between you and make it easier to plan ahead. But some families are scared of the emotions this could bring up. So they may not want to discuss it. They might worry that you won't be able to cope with your situation.

It can strain relationships if your family or friends don't want to talk. You can help your family and friends by letting them know you would like to discuss what’s happening and how you feel.

Managing your emotions

You might find it easier to talk to someone outside your own friends and family.

Counselling might help you find ways of coping with your feelings and emotions.

Find out about counselling

Cancer chat 

You can chat with other people affected by cancer in our online forum. 

Visit Cancer Chat

Specialist nurses

Specialist nurses can help you if you’re finding it difficult to cope or if you have any problems. They can refer you to other healthcare professionals to get the help you need. They can also give you information.

Feeling as well as you can

It is important that you feel as well as you possibly can. Tell your doctor or specialist nurse about any symptoms you have so they can help to control them.

Read about the possible symptoms of metastatic prostate cancer

Coping practically and financially

Practical things you and your family might need to cope with include:

• money matters

• financial support, such as benefits, sick pay and grants

• work issues

• childcare

• Blue Badge applications

• help with travel costs

• changes to your house

Talk to your doctor or specialist nurse to find out who can help.

Getting help early with these things can mean that they don’t become a big issue later. It may be helpful to see a social worker. Many hospital cancer departments have a social worker available for patients.

The social worker can let you know which benefits or grants you can claim and help with the claiming process. You might be able to get some benefits for yourself and the person caring for you. You might also be able to get grants for heating costs, holidays and other household expenses related to your illness

Find out about money matters and cancer

Support at home for you and your family

You might need some care and support at home due to metastatic prostate cancer or its treatment.

GP

Your GP manages your healthcare when you are at home. Your specialist doctor will update your GP about your cancer care. Your GP can help with any medical problems that come up. They can also make referrals to a community service for you. The availability of the different community services may vary depending on where you live.

Community or district nurses

These nurses work in different places in your local area and may visit you in your home. They can:

• give medicines or injections

• check temperature, blood pressure and breathing

• clean and dress wounds

• monitor or set up drips

• give emotional support

• teach basic caring skills to family members where needed

• get special equipment such as hospital beds, special mattresses, commodes or bed pans

Community services vary from area to area. Your hospital specialist nurse can tell you what is locally available to you.

Community specialist palliative care nurses

Community specialist palliative care nurses include Macmillan nurses and hospice nurses. They specialise in symptom management such as pain control, sickness, and other cancer symptoms. They also give emotional support to you and your carers.

Marie Curie nurses

Marie Curie nurses give nursing care to people with advanced cancer in their own homes. They can visit during the day or spend the night in your home to give your carers a break.

Read more about Marie Curie nurses

Social workers

Social workers can help to support you with your situation at home. They can arrange:

• home helps to help with shopping or housework

• home care assistants for washing and dressing

• meals on wheels

• respite care

Your social worker can also help with money matters by checking you get all the benefits you are entitled to. Or they can advise you about charity grants for things like extra heating costs or special diets.

Contact a social worker yourself by getting in touch with your local social services office. Or ask your hospital nurse or your GP to refer you.

Local support services

There is usually other help available but services can vary from place to place.

Sometimes local voluntary groups offer sitting services. Someone comes to stay with you while your relative goes out.

Good neighbour schemes offer befriending or practical help with shopping or transport.

Local cancer support groups often offer practical help. And they are a good source of information about services in your area. Ask your doctor or nurse about local groups.