Hi
My brother has just been diagnosed with stage 2 prostate cancer. He is 39 a lifelong alcoholic, and abused drugs.
We are not close due to this, but I would like to put a care package together to see if it encourages him to care for himself.
He will be receiving injections regularly, so I have been informed. Are there supplements that would help, recommended foods items I could get to support him.
Thank you.
Dear Charly43
Thank you so much for contacting us here at Macmillan Cancer Support. My name is Rae and I am a Cancer Information Nurse Specialist.
It is great that you are willing to help your brother through this, despite you not being close to him.
Prostate cancer is often treated with hormone therapy, so these may well be the injections he will be receiving.
It is important that your brother lets the prostate cancer doctors know about his addictions, so that they can help support him. There is also support for family members of addicts too. Hub of Hope is one way that you can find local support available.
Prostate Cancer UK have information on diet and prostate cancer. It is important to try and cut down on unhealthy food, such as those high in sugar and saturated fat, added flavouring and/or preservatives. It is good to try and eat a range of nutrients and whole foods if possible. This is especially important in your brother’s position as being an alcoholic can significantly reduce nutrient absorption. It is important for your brother to try and take some regular exercise if possible too. There is an information sheet here about this.
It is important for your brother to ask his team about supplements that would be helpful for him to take. We are unable to provide this information as we do not have your brother’s medical notes. Some supplements can interact with prescribed medication.
There are lots of non-alcoholic drinks on the market that you can put in his care package. We cannot recommend any actual products as we are a charity and cannot promote individual businesses, but it may be good to try and few options with your brother to see which he likes.
General ideas for a care package are moisturising creams and lotions, lip balm, hand sanitiser. Healthy snacks such as nuts and dried fruits. A soft blanket or throw, comfortable socks, and slippers. A selection of books or magazines. We have information about supporting someone with cancer. We also have our online community with a friends and family forum, for support for yourself.
Please do pick up the phone or use webchat to speak to one of our nurses on the support line, it you wish to speak about any of the above information or just want to chat things over in further detail.
Best wishes
Rae, Cancer Information Nurse Specialist
You can also speak with the Macmillan Support Line team of experts. Phone free on 0808 808 0000 (7 days a week, 8am-8pm) or send us an email.
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