When you find out you have prostate cancer, you’ll want all the information you can find on it. You may also want to connect with other people living with prostate cancer. These resources can help you get started, including nonprofit organizations, blogs, and online communities.
Blogs and online communities (including social media) can provide personal perspectives. But they don’t provide medical advice.
Ask yourself these questions:
- Who runs or created the site? Are they selling anything?
- Does it make claims that sound too good to be true?
- Is the information up to date, reviewed, and based on scientific research?
If you’re looking for support groups, some meet in person. Others are online. They may be led by professionals or by peers. Find a group that best meets your needs and interests. Your doctor may have groups to recommend.
Nonprofit and Governmental Organizations
These groups are a good place to start for more information on prostate cancer.
American Cancer Society’s information on prostate cancer: https://www.cancer.org/cancer/prostate-cancer.html
Cancer.Net’s information on prostate cancer: https://www.cancer.net/cancer-types/prostate-cancer
Cancer Care’s information on prostate cancer: https://www.cancercare.org/diagnosis/prostate_cancer
CDC’s information on prostate cancer:https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/prostate
National Cancer Institute’s information on prostate cancer: https://www.cancer.gov/types/prostate
Prostate Cancer Foundation: https://www.pcf.org/
Us TOO: https://www.ustoo.org/
Blogs
Some major prostate cancer centers and institutions publish informative blogs. Also, many people who live with prostate cancer write candid online accounts about their experiences. Both types of resources can be helpful. Just be sure to check with your doctor before relying on information you find online.
- Prostate Cancer Foundation’ blog: https://www.pcf.org/blog/
- Dan’s Journey Through Prostate Cancer: https://dansjourney.com/
- Journey to Zero: Blog https://zerocancer.org/blog/
- Vital Jake: https://vitaljake.com/
- Living With Prostate Cancer: https://toddseals63.blogspot.com/
Online Communities
Many national and local prostate cancer organizations have social media accounts. These and other online communities can offer you good information and supportive resources.
Facebook. This social media platform allows you to connect with others who live with prostate cancer. Some groups may be private, and so you may have to request to join.
https://www.facebook.com/PCF.org/
https://www.facebook.com/ZeroCancer/
https://www.facebook.com/groups/124851877565698/
Reddit. This site connects you with others in the prostate cancer community. You can join different forums and learn more from people who share your experiences. You can post your tips and read posts from others.
https://www.reddit.com/r/ProstateCancer/
Popular hashtags. #ProstateCancer, #prostate, #prostatehealth
It’s important to check that content you find on Twitter, Instagram, and other social media sites is reliable. Make sure that you:
- Confirm that the social media account is who they say they are. Always go through an organization’s website to find their social media pages.
- Look for verified accounts. Major organizations have a specific symbol that ensures they’re real and not a spam account.
- Ask yourself the same questions about the quality of the information that you would for anything you read online.