Finding Community Support Groups In Calgary To Help Prostate Cancer Recovery

Did you know that around one in eight Canadian men will develop prostate cancer during their lifetime? If you’ve been diagnosed or are in remission from prostate cancer, know that you’re not alone.

Today, we’re looking at the benefits of sharing your journey with others in the same situation.

Find Local Groups

Support organisations often hold weekly or monthly meetings, which provide support, information, and valuable insights from prostate cancer experts. These are commonly held both in person and online, so it’s easy to attend, whatever your situation is.

We spoke to PROSTAID Calgary about the importance of finding a community of people to help you face the battle of a lifetime.

They said, “Our objective is to assist and support patients, families and friends by informing, empathizing and reassuring men on their journey with prostate cancer. By sharing our experiences with our own cancer we lift our spirits and strengthen our resolve to fight for quality of life and a cure.”

Care For The Carers

Cancer doesn’t just affect the patient with the diagnosis. The ripple effect of the disease extends to family members, friends, and caregivers, too – all of whom have a role to play in supporting you through your treatment and recovery.

The Stats

According to data from The Canadian Cancer Society, around 76 Canadian men are diagnosed with prostate cancer every day, with a daily average of 14 men dying from the condition. This accounts for approximately 22% of all cancer cases in men throughout Canada. While these figures are alarming, death rates have declined since 1995, reflecting improved diagnostic measures such as the Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) test.

Get Involved In Trials & Studies

You only need to glance at prostate cancer stats to know that the disease has to be a major priority for health authorities – not just in Canada but globally too. The drive to improve remission rates and enhance quality of life for those in recovery means there are plenty of opportunities to participate in trials and recovery programs.

For example, a recent University of Toronto trial recruited cancer survivors for a six-week program that explored the benefits of physical exercise for individuals in remission from prostate cancer.

Giving Yourself A Fighting Chance

As well as exercising, maintaining a healthy diet can also help reduce the severity of symptoms, while keeping your body weight in check also reduces the likelihood of contracting prostate cancer in the first place. So fill up on those fruits and vegetables and keep moving!

Other Resources

There's a whole community of people out there who want to share their journey and their expertise to help people like you who are suffering from prostate cancer. Ultimately, knowledge is power, so learn as much as you can from those who have trodden this path before you.

For example, PROSTAID Calgary publishes a monthly newsletter with additional resources for cancer patients and their families.

“The goal of our journal is to keep our members up to date with the latest news updates surrounding prostate cancer, bolster community by sharing local and international initiatives, and share information and experiences through links, videos and stories.”

Get Checked

If you remember one thing today, it should be to get yourself checked out by a medical professional if you've been experiencing symptoms such as:

• Frequent urination (particularly at night)
• Blood in your urine
• Weak flow
• ED issues
• Pelvic Pain

Early intervention is key to beating the disease, and modern testing,g such as the Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA), is non-invasive and takes only a few minutes of your time.

Whatever stage you're at in your cancer journey, remember you're not on your own. Find a support group in your area and don't lose hope!