You May Notice Prostate Changes Before Your Spouse or Partner Does

You are attuned to your partner’s moods, habits, and appearance, so it is easy to spot when your other half looks pale, seems tired or is acting differently. Because of closeness and intimacy, you may also detect lumps or other physical changes your mate may not have noticed.

This familiarity can help you flag health issues when something seems out of sync, which is especially important given that early action can improve health outcomes.

According to the CDC, women are 33% more likely to see a doctor than men. Women also have a significantly higher rate of scheduling annual exams and screenings. Because of this tendency toward proactive health management, you can help influence health decisions for others in your household.  

What exactly can you do?

Notice Your Partner’s Patterns

·       Is your partner tired from getting up multiple times a night to go to the bathroom? Are you exhausted from your partner’s nightly trips to the bathroom? Is this a new habit?

·       Has your mate physically expressed or complained of pain during urination or ejaculation?

·       Have there been sudden changes in sexual activity or recent issues surrounding erectile dysfunction?

If you can answer yes to any of these questions, encourage your spouse to see a doctor. Some of these symptoms can be attributed to other health concerns, but getting checked is the only way to get an accurate diagnosis. Other issues that can be signs of prostate cancer include urinary urgency without full relief after going to the bathroom and back pain (unrelated to another event). Any of these symptoms combined with a family history of prostate or breast cancer merit a consultation.

Take Action

Your partner may be uncomfortable seeking medical advice for various reasons: anxiety, financial worry, professional busyness, or apprehension about how medical appointments might impact his schedule. But the statistics are clear. One in eight men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer, and Black men are affected in even higher numbers with one in six men diagnosed. While prostate cancer is typically found in men 65 and older, it can affect younger men, including those with a family history and other modifiable risk factors, such as obesity, smoking, and chemical exposures.

Remind your spouse that taking care of his health is good for him, your family, and your finances. Not only can preventive care bring peace of mind, but it can also have less financial impact. And if you catch health issues early, treatment and costs may be more easily managed.

Tracking health history is beneficial for your children and relatives. Knowing what to report to their doctors will also keep their health in check.

Here are some practical steps you can take:

·       With your partner’s okay, schedule an appointment.

·       Sit down together and compile a list of medications he is taking and questions he should ask.

·       If you share the same provider, set appointments on the same day and make the trip together.

Sympathetic to Recovery

Some treatments, such as hormone therapy and radiation, may cause side effects, including mood swings, depression, and other physical ailments. Make sure you both seek counseling to help you weather the emotional and mental toll of diagnosis and treatment. Speaking to a professional can help you manage a stressful time and provide the tools to navigate caregiving challenges.

To learn more about prostate cancer treatments and side effects, visit our prostate page.

Support through Communication & Love

Prostate cancer can affect sexual intimacy, so it is important to discuss your feelings about sex and the different ways of giving and receiving pleasure. Have candid conversations. Mindfulness techniques and gentle touching can often be just the reassurance needed to create renewed intimacy and an even closer bond.

There are many ways to show love in a relationship. Maintaining regular screenings and checkups is one of them. Lead your family in good health management practices and schedule an appointment with our provider at Silicon Valley Oncology if you think it is time for a consultation.