A Patient’s Guide to Navigating the Holidays After a Prostate Cancer Diagnosis
Dec 10, 2025
It’s perfectly normal to feel conflicted between wanting to celebrate the holiday season — and processing the reality of your prostate cancer diagnosis. In his New York practice in Central Midtown Manhattan, internationally renowned robotic surgeon Dr. David B. Samadi provides both world-class prostate cancer care and empathetic, patient-driven support.
Dr. Samadi understands what you’re going through, and knows that cancer doesn’t “press pause” for the holidays. But, with the right perspective and support, you can find comfort, connection, and new hope. Here are some ways to navigate the holidays as you adjust to life after your diagnosis.
You might not have the same physical and mental energy as you did before your diagnosis. That’s normal, and it’s completely okay. Give yourself permission to slow down.
This year, you don’t have to maintain a packed schedule, keep up with a mile-long to do list, or coordinate every holiday gathering. Your loved ones will understand!
Consider what matters the most to you and make those events your priority. Consider skipping the things that you’ve always done, but don’t necessarily love. Conserving your energy for the things you do enjoy can help make every holiday event more meaningful and less stressful.
This approach can give you many more quiet moments of connection. Shared meals, catch-up phone calls, or simply sitting and being in the moment with your loved ones can help revive your spirit, as Dr. Samadi creates a plan to restore your health.
Having a trusted, board-certified urologic oncologist makes all the difference. Dr. Samadi is known worldwide for his innovative Samadi Modified Advanced Robotic Technique (SMART) surgery, which helps preserve sexual function and urinary control after prostate removal. The surgery has a remarkable 95% success rate.
His precision, high-level experience, and leadership in the field of urologic oncology, can give you peace of mind. When you start to feel anxious or stressed during the holidays, remind yourself that you’re allowed to feel that way, but also remember that you’re in the very best hands for prostate cancer treatment.
Knowing this can help ease anxiety and let you focus on healing and enjoying the moments that matter most this holiday season — and in the months to come.
The holidays can sometimes make it easy to overlook your well-being. Many people forget to look after the basics during this time. Make sure you get plenty of rest, stay hydrated, and eat nutritious foods that actually fuel your body and mind. These things are more important than ever after a prostate cancer diagnosis.
Emotional health is just as important. Dr. Samadi encourages patients to talk openly about how they’re feeling. It’s an important part of processing the many emotions that can surface after your diagnosis. If you feel overwhelmed or off balance, don’t hesitate to lean on loved ones. Dr. Samadi may also suggest a support group with other men who share your diagnosis.
Many men tell Dr. Samadi that after a prostate cancer diagnosis, they see the holidays in a new light. The season becomes less about the hustle and more about gratitude.
A prostate cancer diagnosis can help you develop a new appreciation for both the big and little things in life. Allow yourself to relish each moment as it comes, without obsessing over or dwelling on the “whys” or “what ifs.”
This holiday season, remember that you don’t have to face prostate cancer alone. With Dr. Samadi’s expertise and compassionate care, you can end the year on a hopeful note and look forward to a healthy, bright future.
If you’ve been recently diagnosed with prostate cancer or want to learn more about your treatment options, book your appointment with Dr. Samadi by calling 212-365-5000 today. You deserve a wonderful holiday season, and we can help make it happen.