Prostate Cancer Support
Prostate Cancer Support Group
The Prostate Cancer Center at Saint Joseph's offers prostate cancer support for men and their spouses/partners/adult family members every month:
First Wednesday of the month; 7:00 - 9:00 p.m.
December 7, 2011
January 4, 2012
February 1, 2012
March 7, 2012
For men (and their spouses/partners/adult family members) diagnosed with prostate cancer, regardless of the type of treatment sought. This group is open to anyone seeking information and support for prostate cancer. A portion of the meeting every other month* is dedicated to separate "men's only" support and caregiver support (*in 2012: Jan, Mar, May, July, Sept, & Nov).
This group is professionally facilitated by Dr. Hamid Mirsalimi, PhD, ABPP, clinical psychologist, and Renee Sevy-Hasterok, LMSW, licensed professional social worker and Patient Navigator at the Prostate Cancer Center at Saint Joseph's.
The support group is offered to the community at no charge, regardless of hospital or physician affiliation. The group is held in the Florence Hays Erb Clinical Specialty Center at Saint Joseph's (in the first floor conference room). Saint Joseph's Hospital is located at 5665 Peachtree Dunwoody Road, Atlanta, GA 30342.
For driving directions, please call (678) 843-7001 and choose Option 3. The hospital is located adjacent to the Medical Center Marta station.
Free Parking for those attending the support group:
- Once in the main driveway at Saint Joseph’s, continue to the last building on the right which is the Florence Hays Erb Clinical Specialty Center
- Directly across the driveway is a parking deck – use the intercom at the entrance to the deck to tell security that you are here for a cancer support group and the gate will be lifted so you can park free
- Enter the Clinical Specialty Center lobby and take the elevator up one level
- The conference room will be around to the right and down the hall toward the Oncology Care Unit; we will have signs posted directing you to the conference room
If you have any questions, please contact Renee Sevy-Hasterok, our Patient Navigator at (678) 843-5665 or rsevy@sjha.org. A complete list of cancer support groups in the Atlanta area and other communities in Georgia is available at http://gacancersurvivors.org/community-support-group-list.
The Cancer Survivors' Network at Saint Joseph's offers many free programs and services for cancer patients and survivors. Learn More>> CSN.
To read stories from real patients at Saint Joseph's >> Stories
For individual support>> If you prefer one-on-one support over support in a group setting, contact our Patient Navigator who can connect you with current and former patients from Saint Joseph's Hospital who are happy to connect with you by phone or via email. Call Renee to arrange: (678) 843-5665 or rsevy@sjha.org.
Online support groups>> CancerCare, Inc. offers free online support groups for men with cancer, post-treatment survivors, and general caregiver support. All groups are professionally faciliated by an oncology social worker and are limited to those who register in advance to participate. Learn more at www.cancercare.org.
Learn More >> Go to the PCC's newsletter article archive for articles on prostate cancer and prostate health. Go to our Resource Page for a variety of excellent internet-based and free resources on prostate cancer and prostate health. Check out our listing of community resources offering support for men with prostate cancer and their families.
Prostate Cancer Support: Family Members Coping with Prostate Cancer
What can you do to help the man in your life with prostate cancer?
The following are some suggestions for helping the men in your life who may have or could have prostate cancer at some point in time:
Keep the lines of communication open.
It is easy for someone with a diagnosis of prostate cancer to become depressed, or to be in a state of denial. It is also normal for you to be sad, angry, or in denial of the diagnosis. Open communication is critical during a stressful time like this. Strengthen your relationship by talking about how you feel.
My husband/father/son will not go to the doctor because he is embarrassed about the types of examinations necessary to check the prostate.
Most men are embarrassed at the thought of a digital rectal exam. Because the prostate is an internal organ, it cannot be looked at directly. Prostate problems can affect men of any age and the examination is simple and quick. Offer to go with him to the appointment or drive him to the physician's office. Catching problems early via regular checkups far outweighs waiting and developing a serious illness. All men over 50 should have yearly rectal examinations for prostate disease as part of their physical checkups. Remember, there are generally no symptoms in the earliest stages when prostate cancer is the most curable.
If there is something wrong, prostate cancer is not the only possibility.
In fact, there are other types of prostate problems other than cancer, which can mimic the symptoms of prostate cancer. Like prostate cancer, these problems are readily treatable.
Educate yourself about prostate cancer
Understanding the diagnosis will help you to be supportive and understand what your loved one is going through.
Maintain good medical records.
Keep a notebook of all appointments, tests, and visits with healthcare providers, and obtain copies of test results for your records.
Ask your cancer care team questions about prostate cancer
A dumb question is only the one not asked. Take notes and put them in your notebook with your medical records. Accompany your partner so that you can both hear what is being said. And, above all, ask questions.
Attend a prostate cancer support group together.
Meeting others who have already gone through what you are going through is one of the best ways to alleviate feelings of helplessness and isolation.
Seek new information about prostate cancer.
Prostate cancer diagnosis and treatment options are continually changing as new advances and discoveries are being made. Continue to seek new information and keep abreast of recent findings and studies that may be beneficial.
Suggestions were compiled and are presented collaboratively by the team at the Prostate Cancer Center at Saint Joseph's.
Last Updated: November 16, 2011 (RSH)
