Support

Support for Spouses and Partners

Dr. Sylvie Aubin, Ph.D., a clinical psychologist, leads a support group for the spouses, partners and significant others of men diagnosed with prostate cancer.

“Prostate cancer is a special kind of disease,” says Dr. Aubin. “Prostate cancer patients have needs that are unaddressed. I would say one of two men with prostate cancer have issues, such as mood swings, depression or a lack of sexual desire that may, for example, relate to hormonal therapy.”

In addition to running the support group, Dr. Aubin is available to meet with individual prostate cancer patients, either alone or with their wives or partners. She is also available to meet individually with partners of men with prostate cancer. She says she has an “educational role,” and speaks frequently at conferences and in the community.

Dr. Aubin’s approach is to offer men with prostate cancer a “toolbox” of strategies. “Men like a problem-solving approach,” she says, “and practical, concrete suggestions. They want the latest information and strategies to deal with treatment side effects and issues surrounding prostate cancer treatment.”

In addition to prostate cancer, Dr. Aubin’s support group is also for partners, spouses and significant others of men with testicular and bladder cancer. The group meets on the third Wednesday of the month, from 1 to 2 p.m., on the third floor of the SCCA clinic in room G3-100. A nurse or other medical staff member sits in on the group to answer medical questions that members may have.

Recent topics have included: “changes in your intimate relationship” and “understanding your role in facing the challenges of cancer.” For more information, contact Dr. Aubin via e-mail at saubin@u.washington.edu.

To read Dr. Aubin’s advice to spouses, click here.

For the latest support group for spouses and other events, please see the SCCA Events Calendar.

October 2004