Improving Relationships Prostate cancer and your relationship What to expect: Prostate cancer can be hard on your relationship. Cancer is difficult for anyone. Prostate cancer can be even harder to face because of the effect of the disease on male sexuality. It is typical for a man with prostate cancer to experience many different and often confusing or conflicting emotions that can strain a relationship: • He may feel depressed, angry, anxious and fearful.

• Despair over prostate cancer can change to hope, then quickly back to despair.

• He will be concerned about his masculinity and the impact of prostate cancer and treatment on his sexuality. If the prostate cancer impairs his ability to have an erection, he may avoid any kind of sexual activity.

• He may worry about keeping his job and supporting his family.

• He may be embarrassed about his prostate cancer and self-conscious of his body. He will worry about medical tests, hospitalization, and treatment.

• He may feel sorry for himself and become withdrawn. He may be uncomfortable sharing his feelings about prostate cancer. He may become non-communicative.

• Depending on his specific prostate cancer treatment, he may experience physical changes, including weight gain, hair loss, hot flashes, and fatigue.

As the partner of a man with prostate cancer, dealing with his emotions can be difficult and exhausting. There will be more stress in your life and your relationship. There will be more chance for miscommunication and misunderstanding that can lead to hurt and feelings of loss, isolation or anger on your part. If his sexuality is impaired by prostate cancer, you may struggle to deal with it-even if he remains attentive and loving. The good news is that there are strategies, tactics, and techniques for successfully dealing with his emotions and yours. Thousands of couples have learned to cope with prostate cancer. They have found ways to take back control of their lives and continue a happy and fulfilling relationship. For more tips click on Providing Support and Partner Success Stories.