Hi Louise.E, 

I am sorry to hear about your partner's recent prostate cancer diagnosis and I hope that he can have radiotherapy and hormone treatment soon. It can often be the case in a relationship that one looks more on the bright side and the other on the dark side as you said but this is actually a good thing as you will bring a bit of cheerfulness and positivity and help him I am sure feel better and more upbeat as he is about to start treatment. It can be difficult to know how to be supportive in the best possible way and the truth is there is not one way to be supportive and I am sure you will follow your intuition and gut instinct to help him and be there for him in a way that works for you both and for your family. Your partner will I am sure appreciate having you by your side. Saying that, there is information on our website which can give you some good pointers on how to support someone with cancer and you will see in there a nice little video with top tips from patients on how to talk to someone with cancer and how to provide the best emotional and practical support. I am sure you are doing everything right though but it's always helpful to have a little look at those tips but it's also very important not to forget to take care of yourself so make sure you breathe from time to time and take a little break too to recharge your batteries. 

You've come to the right place though to meet others who have also supported a partner through a cancer diagnosis and I will now let them come along to share their story with you. We're here to listen and to support you during this difficult time. 

Best of luck to your partner for the start of his treatment, 

Lucie, Cancer Chat Moderator

Hi Louise.E, 

I am sorry to hear about your partner's recent prostate cancer diagnosis and I hope that he can have radiotherapy and hormone treatment soon. It can often be the case in a relationship that one looks more on the bright side and the other on the dark side as you said but this is actually a good thing as you will bring a bit of cheerfulness and positivity and help him I am sure feel better and more upbeat as he is about to start treatment. It can be difficult to know how to be supportive in the best possible way and the truth is there is not one way to be supportive and I am sure you will follow your intuition and gut instinct to help him and be there for him in a way that works for you both and for your family. Your partner will I am sure appreciate having you by your side. Saying that, there is information on our website which can give you some good pointers on how to support someone with cancer and you will see in there a nice little video with top tips from patients on how to talk to someone with cancer and how to provide the best emotional and practical support. I am sure you are doing everything right though but it's always helpful to have a little look at those tips but it's also very important not to forget to take care of yourself so make sure you breathe from time to time and take a little break too to recharge your batteries. 

You've come to the right place though to meet others who have also supported a partner through a cancer diagnosis and I will now let them come along to share their story with you. We're here to listen and to support you during this difficult time. 

Best of luck to your partner for the start of his treatment, 

Lucie, Cancer Chat Moderator

Hi Lucie

Thank you for your reply. Lots of useful information for me. I have had contact from someone else with some very helpful comments so I am glad I joined.

Louise