The Power of Positive Thinking

By Al DiPierno

2 min read

Someone once told me that it is vital to stay positive when fighting cancer, especially prostate cancer. If you are one of the lucky ones that has had surgery or radiation and your PSA is 0, I am very happy for you and I love to hear those stories.

Many of us go through the surgery, radiation and hormone therapy and still battle a rising PSA, side effects or metastasis and it is so easy to slip into a "funk" due to the constant weight on your mind of what is my next treatment option and will it work for me.

I have found that being positive and always looking for new breakthroughs in the treatment of Prostate Cancer has kept me going, even after some pretty bad news. There are some pretty amazing treatments that are being discovered every month.

Clinical trials can offer hope

I recently searched for Clinical Trials at Memorial Sloan Kettering in NYC and they have a number of new treatments that I am going to investigate. I am currently enrolled in a Trial at Rutgers Cancer Institute and I am anonymously awaiting the next phase of the trial. I would recommend that anyone who is interested in being part of a clinical trial visit www.clinicaltrials.gov to see the many options that you may have.

There is also a lot more information about various aspects of what it means to participate in a clinical trial here on ProstateCancer.net.

Keep fighting

I love my family. I love my work. I love my golf. I will not give in to this awful disease. I will not stop fighting and I will stay positive. Don't give up.

Positive thinking and mindfulness as complementary therapy

Editorial note: The power of positive thinking has been researched for people living with chronic health conditions. This research looks at a number of different ways that people can maintain positive thoughts that may have a health benefit. One area of research looks at mindfulness meditation and other techniques for promoting mindfulness. This and other things that can be done in combination with traditional treatments for prostate cancer are called complementary therapies.

This article represents the opinions, thoughts, and experiences of the author; none of this content has been paid for by any advertiser. The ProstateCancer.net team does not recommend or endorse any products or treatments discussed herein. Learn more about how we maintain editorial integrity here.

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fredschneeman Member
I AGREE WITH THIS ARTICLE , I AM CURRENTLY INVOLVED IN A CLINICAL TRIAL AND HOPE MY INVOLVEMENT WILL HELP FIND A CURE FOR MY METASTIC PROSTATE CANCER .
1. BrianM.Green Community Admin
 Hi Fred: Thanks for sharing. Glad to hear that you are participating in a clinical trial. It is so important that people who are comfortable are willing to participate in research that may help find better approaches and help others! Hope you are also able to find some relief with this. Let us know how you are making out. -Brian (ProstateCancer.net team)
Will Jones Moderator
I get much of my "positive thinking" from my monthly meetings with a support group. Every journey is different, so we learn about everything that's happening in the prostate cancer field. There were 13 of us at our March meeting. Everyone gets to update his current status, even if he's been cancer free for 10 years. It's an incredible group. We meet at the cancer resource center at one of our local hospitals. I think it would be worthwhile for anyone who has traveled this road to join or start a support group. The founder of ours still attends every month even though he's been cancer free for 12 years! The support is amazing.
1. BrianM.Green Community Admin
 Hi Will. Glad to hear that you have a local support group! Many men that participate in these talk about how valuable they are. We definitely encourage men to seek support at in-person group if possible, we know how much men also share information there and can ask questions of each other. The first time you go it is normal to feel nervous or out of place, but remember that everyone probably feels that way at first and I'm sure the group makes newcomers feel welcome!
dino Member
Hello everyone. My surgery to remove my prostate because of cancer, was June 3rd. I was told successful. I trust my doctor and believe that it was successful. One month later I had a PSA test and told no cancer as results were undetectable. Great news. Three months later now and just had my blood drawn for a another check. Seeing doctor next week for results. Feeling positive all is well. Will let you all know results. In the meantime I am moving on best I can healing well from my surgery no bad effects. Only problem right now is my dealing with incontinence. Doing my excercises wit Kegels but have to say not consistently. I'm 69 yrs old and doing much work getting my home and land ready for winter. I live in northern Wisconsin on a lake and lots to get ready for. I feel great, no pain, able to do work just careful not to over do it. I'm living to 100, at least, and this interruption will not stop me. Have faith and a positive outlook. For now that's all I can do.