Statistics published by the American Cancer Society in 2025 suggest that one of every eight men (12.5%) will experience prostate cancer during their lifetime. And the incidence rate has increased by 3% each year since 2014. Men who are 65 and older are experiencing the highest rates of prostate cancer. Yet with intervention, the survival rates for prostate cancer are high at 97.7%.
Since cancer goes into remission and never really goes away, the question “What future can I expect when living with prostate cancer?” has many answers. The process of recovery is an individual journey and will take you through many challenges. Peer support professionals are well versed in the recovery process because successfully living in recovery is their education. Peer support professionals have learned that recovery from chronic disease involves incorporating lifestyle adjustments that manage the contributing factors to reduce the probability of relapse. Recovery is the process of mastering new strategies to cope with situations as they arise.
Unfortunately, for many men living with prostate cancer, lifestyle adjustments involve limitations in some of the activities they enjoy, in the dynamics of their family relationships, and in the side effects that can impact on their self-esteem. For example, prostate cancer occurs in the male reproductive system; consequently, this affects a man’s ability to sexually engage in intimate relationships. The cancer affects the urinary tract, and unwanted leakage is not uncommon. Both conditions are immensely frustrating for an adult man and adapting to these unwanted changes is not easy.
Why talk about this? To encourage awareness. Men can expect their primary care providers to recommend screening for the cancer starting at age 65. For partners, children and friends—be patient, supportive and non-judgmental when their husband/father/friend starts to emotionally withdraw from the relationship… it may not be you… living with cancer forces unwanted change and change is not easy.
Care to share? Us TOO is a statewide peer-led support group for men with prostate or testicular cancer; ustooak@gmail.com, (907) 268-9066, (907) 727-8552.
