The role of the caregiver or family member during treatment

WELLBEING

The role of the caregiver or family member during treatment

Published June 2021

It can be difficult to watch someone you care about cope with the diagnosis and treatment of advanced prostate cancer. You might struggle to find ways of comforting them, even though you really want to help. During this difficult transition, it’s important to remember that every situation is different and there isn’t one correct way of taking care of someone, although there are certain tips you can try to help you both cope better.

Learn about your loved one’s treatment

Being informed and knowledgeable about the patient’s treatment can help you talk to the doctors and feel more involved in the treatment decisions. A good place to start is the Patient Information Leaflet provided with the medicine, which provides guidance on how to use it and how the treatment works. The healthcare team, including the doctor, specialist nurse or pharmacist, are also available to answer questions and provide any additional information or support you may need.

Attend appointments together

The person you are supporting may feel anxious about attending appointments or may struggle to take in and digest information while there. To help them feel more confident before, during and after healthcare appointments, it may help to read the guide we have prepared here. There are also things you can do, such as preparing a list of questions, accompanying them to their next appointment and taking notes. This can ensure you can provide emotional support, while capturing any important information that might be missed. Attending appointments can also help you make treatment decisions together and feel united during this difficult time.

Communicate with each other

Talking about serious issues is never easy but avoiding them only makes them harder to deal with later on. It’s likely that both of you will be having similar concerns so talking openly and honestly with each other can help you both feel better about the future. Although it may feel difficult to broach serious issues around prostate cancer, especially in the early stages of diagnosis, there are things you can do to help ease these conversations somewhat. For example, it can help to choose the right time to talk – find a time when you are both free from distractions or not rushed, or a time where you are both already thinking about prostate cancer, for example immediately before or after a medical appointment. If you aren’t sure of how to express your concerns or feelings, consider practicing what you want to say or writing notes.

It is important to remember, however, that often the best way to communicate with someone is just to listen. Simply being there and listening may be one of the most important contributions you make.

Support treatment decisions

While you may be in a position to share decisions, ultimately it is the person you are caring for who bears the impact of prostate cancer and its treatment. There may be times when he wants to talk to the doctor alone to address questions and fears without upsetting you. It’s important to listen to these wishes, to be respectful of your loved one’s decisions and to provide support when needed. Remember, you are still an important part of this prostate cancer journey.

Encourage positive behaviours

Coping with prostate cancer can be extremely worrying and stressful for your loved one. They may find it difficult to be present and feel engaged with what’s happening around them. A simple thing you could both try is mindful meditation, which has been shown reduce anxiety, stress and pain. You could try one of the mindfulness modules created specifically for enzalutamide patients here or you and your loved one can take our Visual CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy) course which is designed to help you understand difficult emotions and learn to cope with them using visualisation techniques.

Another way proven to boost mood is exercise. Exercise provides extended benefits for people being treated for advanced prostate cancer and there are lot of ways you can both exercise more or, if you are new to it entirely, get started together. Any type of exercise can be beneficial and it’s important to do something you enjoy, such as walking, cycling, swimming or golf, etc. to encourage motivation.

Take care of yourself

While caring for your loved one will naturally be a priority, the journey can be tough on you too so remember to be kind to yourself and accept help from others. Ask friends or family members if they they’d be willing to help on certain days or during periods of stress. Make sure you get plenty of rest, eat well and set some time aside to do the things you enjoy. Taking care of yourself and having time to recharge can help you be a better carer for your loved one.

SOURCES:

Weir, K. (2011). The exercise effect. Monitor on Psychology, 42(11), 49-52.
Practical support for carers. Macmillian. Available at: https://www.macmillan.org.uk/cancer-information-and-support/supporting-someone/practical-support-for-carers. Accessed October 2025.
Caregiving for a Loved One With Prostate Cancer. Cancer Care. Available at: https://www.cancercare.org/publications/391-caregiving_for_a_loved_one_with_prostate_cancer#!the-role-and-guidance-for-caregivers. Accessed October 2025.
For Loved Ones & Caregivers. ZERO. Available at: https://zerocancer.org/learn/loved-ones-caregivers/. Accessed October 2025.
When someone you love has advanced cancer. National Institute of Cancer. Available at: https://www.cancer.gov/publications/patient-education/when-someone-you-love-has-advanced-cancer.pdf. Accessed October 2025.
Can meditation improve the lives of cancer patients? Headspace. Available at: https://www.headspace.com/blog/2017/04/16/meditation-and-cancer-patients/. Accessed October 2025.
Meditation. Cancer Research UK. Available at: https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/cancer-in-general/treatment/complementary-alternative-therapies/individual-therapies/meditation. Accessed October 2025.

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