Prostate cancer support and advocacy groups: their role for patients and family members

Patients and their families are profoundly affected by the diagnosis of prostate cancer. Competing treatment options and uncertainty regarding the expected course of their disease may provoke strong emotional reactions including depressive symptoms and feelings of overwhelming anxiety. Despite potentially significant implications regarding quality-of-life (QOL) issues associated with various forms of treatment, few studies have focused specifically on the psychologic reactions among men with the disease or their family members. In response to this critical lack of psychosocial information and care, many affected individuals turn to prostate cancer support or advocacy groups for their educational needs, coping strategies, assistance with concerns about medical decisions, and peer networking. This article summarizes the psychologic impact of a prostate cancer diagnosis on patients, spouses, and family members and reviews pertinent advocacy and support information available to men affected by this disease and the physicians who care for them.