Help us ensure every couple receives the love & hope they deserve.
While only men are diagnosed with prostate cancer, the disease often has a profound impact on the lives of their partners/spouses. Health care professionals acknowledge prostate cancer as a couples cancer.
Following diagnosis, a couple’s intimate relationship, family roles, work, finances and activities can be affected in many ways. Loved ones may become caregivers, and play a major role in advocating for their partner’s health. After prostate cancer treatment, a man’s sexual health can be impacted and require further clinical support.
We urgently need your help to provide critical clinical programs and psychological services to Alberta couples along their prostate cancer journey.
Together, we can ensure all couples receive the mental and physical health support they need to survive prostate cancer.
Incredible Survivors' Stories
Jonathan and Brenda Chapman
Jonathan and Brenda Chapman share their inspirational story about how they supported each other through prostate cancer.
Brenda shares how one of the most difficult tasks is trying to control her own fears and anxiety while giving support to her husband.
"All of us, at one time or another, will give into our worst fears and need the reassurance and support that comes from our relationship from the one that is the closest to us. "
- Jonathan Chapman
Jack and Bonnie Paul
“I was diagnosed March of 2017 and had my microscopic surgery May 24, 2017. This year I will be 5 years cancer free. When I heard I had cancer, I just wanted to get rid of the invader. I needed most from Bonnie during my journey (and still do) her support and willingness to go as far as we needed, to the end, her encouragement and taking any options to better our lives. Being absolutely open about everything gave Bonnie and I a better understanding. We need to be open minded and willing to take part. We are able to have an active sex life because of the choices we made together.”
– Jack Paul, Prostate Cancer Survivor
“I felt I would support Jack in any choices he made. I wanted to be with him to hear all the doctors’ prognoses and suggestions and then support Jack in his choices. Jack needs my love, kindness, a little humor and positivity. But most of all he needs my honesty.”
– Bonnie Paul, loving wife of 50+ years
Click here to continue learning about Bonnie and Jack’s story.
“I was diagnosed March of 2017 and had my microscopic surgery May 24, 2017. This year I will be 5 years cancer free. When I heard I had cancer, I just wanted to get rid of the invader. I needed most from Bonnie during my journey (and still do) her support and willingness to go as far as we needed, to the end, her encouragement and taking any options to better our lives. Being absolutely open about everything gave Bonnie and I a better understanding. We need to be open minded and willing to take part. We are able to have an active sex life because of the choices we made together.”
– Jack Paul, Prostate Cancer Survivor
“I felt I would support Jack in any choices he made. I wanted to be with him to hear all the doctors’ prognoses and suggestions and then support Jack in his choices. Jack needs my love, kindness, a little humor and positivity. But most of all he needs my honesty.”
– Bonnie Paul, loving wife of 50+ years
Click here to continue learning about Bonnie and Jack’s story.
Clinical and Mental Wellness Services
The Prostate Cancer Centre is an Alberta non-profit.
All of our clinical services are made available thanks to generous donors like you.
Post-treatment Sexual Health Clinical Sessions
Together, Dr. Jay Lee, MD (left) and Candace Frey, LPN, Sexual Health Practitioner and Clinical Manager of the Prostate Cancer Centre (right) offer patients along with their partner clinical support for couple’s intimacy, and erectile function and treatment options after surgery.
"Do not avoid intimacy, it is a crucial part of one's mental, emotional and physical healing."
- Dr. Jay Lee, MD
Prostate cancer brings many changes to life. With various treatments come changes like incontinence, erectile dysfunction and fatigue. These can affect how a man feels in terms of masculinity, vitality and sexuality. Every patient is different, and every patient experiences these changes differently. Please help us continue to offer these important sessions.
Intimacy and Couple's Clinical Sessions we need your help to continue:
Mental wellness and intimacy are major components of our holistic approach to supporting men and their partners through prostate cancer. Some of the clinical services we offer in this area include:
- Road to Recovery Session– Mental Wellness & Intimacy presentations are included
- Treatment Options for Erectile Function after Prostate Cancer Treatment, led by Dr. Jay Lee, MD
- Pelvic Physiotherapy
- Surgical Options for Incontinence/ Erectile Dysfunction Class
- Injection Therapy Teaching Classes
- Wellness support group sessions for patients and partners
- Couple and individual sessions with a registered psychologist
- Nurse Navigator reviews each patient’s needs and creates a tailored experience to refer them into programs or get the help they need for all areas of their recovery – including all programs listed above.
Programs we need your help to expand:
- Partner’s care kits that include toiletry items to make their visiting time at the hospital more pleasant, community gift cards, and printed wellness resources.
- Extend the number of sessions available for couples and individual counseling with a registered psychologist – also focusing on specialized individual sessions for partners.
- Specialized support for couples where the man is undergoing Androgen Deprivation Therapy (ADT), an effective treatment for prostate cancer, but has many psychological and emotional effects. Click here to learn more.
