Emotional Health and Advanced Prostate Cancer
Health ConditionsCancerProstate Cancer

7 Ways to Prioritize Your Emotional Health When You Have Advanced Prostate Cancer

Use these strategies to manage anxiety, depression, and stress.
7 Ways to Prioritize Your Emotional Health When You Have Advanced Prostate Cancer
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Published on July 17, 2025
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A diagnosis of advanced prostate cancer affects more than just your physical health — it also takes a toll on your mental health. Research shows that nearly 1 in 5 people with prostate cancer experience depression or anxiety.

An advanced cancer diagnosis also increases your risk of frailty — meaning you’re less able to recover from illnesses or injuries.

 This, in turn, can impact your mental health. A recent study found that the prevalence of frailty in older, long-term prostate cancer survivors was associated with a greater impact on emotional health and a worse quality of life.

That’s why it’s crucial to protect your mental health when you’re dealing with advanced prostate cancer. “A cancer diagnosis or bad news of a relapse can be highly stressful, so it’s important to identify personalized approaches to managing anxiety, stress, and depression,” says Andrew J. Armstrong, MD, a professor of medicine at the Duke University School of Medicine in Durham, North Carolina.

Here are a few ways to take care of your emotional health while managing advanced prostate cancer.

1. Get Screened for Anxiety and Depression

Anxiety and depression can interfere with your ability to get treatment, so it’s important to be screened for mental health conditions.

In fact, assessing you early on for anxiety and depression is one of the more important jobs of your provider, says Dr. Armstrong. If you do have either (or both) conditions, your doctor can advise you on ways to treat them with options such as medication, therapy, or both.

2. Don’t Hide Your Feelings

You don’t have to put on a brave face. Hiding your fears from others (or even yourself) won’t help you feel better.

 Rather than burying feelings of sadness, anger, grief, or fear, acknowledge them. Start by admitting how you’re feeling to yourself; then, open up to others you’re comfortable confiding in.

3. Lean on Your Loved Ones

“Men with strong social support networks … tend to have better treatment outcomes,” says Armstrong. A spouse or partner, for example, can play a big role in helping you make decisions about which treatment option to pursue, as well as keeping you motivated throughout the treatment process, he says.

Spiritual support, as well, may help you feel better. Some research shows that spiritual or religious beliefs and practices can boost well-being, possibly by lowering levels of anxiety, depression, anger, and feelings of isolation.

4. Join a Support Group

No matter how many loved ones you have at your side, you may want to join a support group. Connecting with others who have prostate cancer and understand what you’re experiencing can help you feel less alone. Even better? These connections can improve your quality of life and may even extend your lifespan.

Armstrong notes that support groups provide more than just emotional support. These groups also offer access to practical advice when others share their experiences with certain treatments and strategies for managing symptoms and side effects.

If you’re receiving treatment at a cancer center, you should have access to a range of patient support groups. Ask your cancer care team or a social worker at the hospital for a referral.

“No man should face this diagnosis alone,” says Armstrong.

5. Keep Up a Healthy Lifestyle

More than ever, now is the time to stay active and eat a healthy diet to stave off frailty. Try to move as much as possible with activities like walking and, if you’re able, light strength training. Eat a healthy diet, as well — especially one that includes plenty of protein and healthy fats — to reduce your risk of frailty.

6. Practice Relaxation Techniques

To reduce the stress that can often accompany a cancer diagnosis, try engaging in meditation, mindfulness, or relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing and guided imagery. Other ideas, says Armstrong, include exercise, yoga, spiritual practices, and time in nature.

You can combine certain techniques — for example, take a walk around your neighborhood, meditate outside, or practice mindfulness while standing in line. Aim for a 5- to 10-minute session. If you notice your mind wandering, that’s okay; just refocus your attention on the task.

7. Consider Counseling

You may benefit from seeing a mental health professional, such as a therapist, counselor, psychologist, or psychiatrist, says Armstrong. You can opt for one-on-one counseling or group counseling, depending on your preferences.

Before scheduling a session, you may want to call to discuss your needs and goals. Speak with a provider in advance to determine whether their style of support is a good fit for you.

You can also find mental health resources through leading organizations or patient advocacy groups such as:

The Takeaway

  • An advanced prostate cancer diagnosis can increase your risk of depression, anxiety, and frailty, all of which can interfere with your ability to treat the disease.
  • To protect your mental health, try practicing relaxation techniques and keeping up a healthy lifestyle.
  • Talk with others — in a support group or in counseling sessions — to learn techniques to better cope with your condition.
EDITORIAL SOURCES
Everyday Health follows strict sourcing guidelines to ensure the accuracy of its content, outlined in our editorial policy. We use only trustworthy sources, including peer-reviewed studies, board-certified medical experts, patients with lived experience, and information from top institutions.
Resources
  1. Brunckhorst O et al. Mental Wellbeing and Quality of Life in Prostate Cancer (MIND-P): Protocol for a Multi-Institutional Prospective Cohort Study. PLoS One. April 24, 2023.
  2. Frailty. Cleveland Clinic. August 26, 2024.
  3. Meissner VH et al. Frailty in Long-Term Prostate Cancer Survivors and Its Association With Quality of Life and Emotional Health. Journal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network. December 11, 2024.
  4. Andersen BL et al. Management of Anxiety and Depression in Adult Survivors of Cancer: ASCO Guideline Update. Journal of Clinical Oncology. April 19, 2023.
  5. Mental Health and Support Resources for Prostate Cancer. ZERO Prostate Cancer.
  6. Shen MJ. Coping in the Aftermath of a Cancer Diagnosis. Fred Hutch Cancer Center. May 2, 2024.
  7. Spirituality in Cancer. National Cancer Institute. February 12, 2025.
  8. Cancer Support Groups. National Cancer Institute. July 26, 2024.
  9. Stay Strong: Four Ways to Beat the Frailty Risk. Johns Hopkins Medicine.
  10. How to Relax Your Mind and Body. National Cancer Institute. April 11, 2024.
  11. Psychosocial Support Options for People With Cancer. American Cancer Society. June 9, 2023.
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Walter Tsang, MD

Medical Reviewer
Castle Connolly Top Doctor, Member of American College of Lifestyle Medicine
Walter Tsang, MD, is a board-certified medical oncologist, hematologist, and lifestyle medicine specialist. Inspired by the ancient Eastern philosophy of yang sheng ("nourishing life"), Dr. Tsang has developed a unique whole-person oncology approach that tailors cancer care and lifestyle recommendations to each patients’ biopsychosocial-spiritual circumstances. He partners with patients on their cancer journeys, emphasizing empowerment, prevention, holistic wellness, quality of life, supportive care, and realistic goals and expectations. This practice model improves clinical outcomes and reduces costs for both patients and the healthcare system. 

Outside of his busy clinical practice, Tsang has taught various courses at UCLA Center for East West Medicine, Loma Linda University, and California University of Science and Medicine. He is passionate about health education and started an online seminar program to teach cancer survivors about nutrition, exercise, stress management, sleep health, and complementary healing methods. Over the years, he has given many presentations on integrative oncology and lifestyle medicine at community events. In addition, he was the founding co-chair of a lifestyle medicine cancer interest group, which promoted integrative medicine education and collaborations among oncology professionals.

Tsang is an active member of American Society of Clinical Oncology, Society for Integrative Oncology, and American College of Lifestyle Medicine. He currently practices at several locations in Southern California. His goal is to transform cancer care in the community, making it more integrative, person-centered, cost-effective and sustainable for the future.
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Maria Masters

Maria Masters

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Maria Masters is a contributing editor and writer for Everyday Health and What to Expect, and she has held positions at Men's Health and Family Circle. Her work has appeared in Health, on Prevention.com, on MensJournal.com, and in HGTV Magazine, among numerous other print and digital publications.

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