Six Things You Shouldn't Say to Men With Prostate Cancer

As I began sharing the news I had prostate cancer with friends and family, some of the responses I received were hurtful rather than helpful. I don't think anyone purposely set out to hurt me. I think too many people said he first thing that came to mind. Here are six comments that hurt rather than help. I'll explain why these comments are not helpful so those who are  lacking in experience, sensitivity, or wisdom, can learn the reasons why these comments hurt rather than help.

1. "That's too bad, my father, (Uncle Cousin, etc) died from prostate cancer." This isn't helpful because it heightens the fear and anxiety men are already coping with.

2. "At least you have a 'good' cancer." When you are the one diagnosed with cancer you don't feel good about having prostate cancer.

3. After surgery I was depressed about the quality of life changes brought about by prostate surgery. When I shared that with a friend she said "Why do you think you need emotional support? You've been cured of cancer and you should feel grateful." Telling people how they should feel based on your assessment of the situation is a very bad idea. Listening without passing judgment is the way to be helpful.

4. Blame the man with cancer for his disease. "If you didn't eat so much dairy and red meat you could have avoided prostate cancer." Blaming someone for their disease AFTER a diagnosis is not in the least be helpful.

5. "I'll pray for you." There's nothing inherently wrong with that response. As a Christian I appreciate and place a high value on people praying for me. Yet I've experienced this being used as a way to shut down discussion. If someone offers to pray with you without you asking for prayer, and/or without the person asking if there is something specific to pray for, odds are this offer, though genuine, might serve a dual purpose of preventing you from saying anything specific that would make the person who is volunteering to pray feel uncomfortable, fearful or anxious. So, don't offer to pray for someone unless you know in advance those coping with prostate cancer place a value on prayer, and you ask if there is something specific you can pray for. Keep in mind it's possible the person with cancer is angry with God or had his faith shaken in some way, Be sensitive about this possibility.

6. Comfort clichés These are brief comments such as "things will work out for the best," or "I'm sure you'll do fine." Comfort clichés  are not meant to provide you with comfort. They enable the person who used it to stay within their comfort zone and prevent you from sharing a real concern. When someone offers you a comfort cliché, I suggest you thank them, then quickly move on to someone else who has the willingness and ability to listen to what you think and feel.

Note: This article appeared in Prostate Cancer News Today 

Rick Redner and his wife Brenda Redner wrote two award winning books. The first:

I Left My Prostate in San Francisco-Where's Yours?

provides men and couples with information and support before, during and after prostate surgery.

Their second book was written for couples living with!erectile dysfunction. After living with erectile dysfunction for four years, Rick chose penile implant surgery. The couple share how implant surgery changed their lives and relationship.

The title of their book is:

Everything You Never Wanted to Know About Erectile Dysfunction and Penile Implants.