The aim of this study is to describe the impact of patient knowledge and awareness of prostate cancer on their medical process from initial symptom detection to post treatment. Although research is gradually increasing in relation to prostate cancer, limited attention has been paid to the impact of inadequate knowledge on patient and spouse experience of the medical process despite the often complex and varied nature of the disease trajectory, treatment, and outcomes. An in-depth focus group design that incorporates open-structured questions was used to identify the attitudes and experiences of a sample of 12 prostate cancer patients and spouses. The findings of this study show that inadequacies in patient and spouse knowledge and awareness of prostate cancer contributed to delayed contact, shock at diagnosis, preferences regarding decision making, health judgments, including the use of the Prostate Specific Antigen test and physical well-being as accurate health indicators, and patient coping, incorporating the use of comparison with other patients. In conclusion, hospital staff, in particular the consultant and cancer nurse specialist, must be aware of the potential for inadequacy in patient and spouse knowledge and counter this through the provision of accurate and relevant information and support throughout the medical process. A series of recommendations have been generated.

We were able to discuss the issues that pupils raised and so addressed concerns that were important to them. We specifically addressed areas such as when young people can be seen, confidentiality, and how we can help to support them with emotional as well as physical problems. We discussed how general practice can support young carers as well as how GPs can help with the more common health issues for young people such as smoking, weight management, and keeping healthy.We believe this basic health information is vital for young people, enabling and empowering them to access health care appropriately and responsibly.But perhaps building relationships and improving trust between young people and health professionals in this way may also help to overcome some of the barriers young people face when accessing services?

No abstract

No abstract

No abstract

72 Background: Previously cancer follow-up was based in secondary care. Survivors were seen in overburdened clinics, receiving brief clinic appointments and limited holistic care. We have piloted a new community based model in prostate cancer survivors in order to reduce service load. Patients are discharged from clinic, and entered into a specially developed web based database. This reviews PSA results, triggers alerts, resulting in specialist nurses (CNS) bringing patients back to clinic. This is supplemented by an annual survivorship conference, where patients have access to heathcare professionals. Patients also have access to community based services including a newly built community centre for patients where they have access to a range of healthcare professionals, ranging from dieticians to psychologists. We present our results, and evaluate this model independently with Pickering Institute patient questionnaires distributed one month pre and post conference and focus groups to develop further recommendations for the programme. Methods: We have developed a team composed of a consultant urological lead, commissioners, a GP, a specialist nurse, patient representatives and an IT specialist. Patients were entered into this programme over the past 1 year (323 so far). Inclusion criteria specify patients must be: 2 years post radical prostatectomy (unrecordable PSA), 3 years post radical radiotherapy with/ without hormones or 3 years post brachytherapy (both with stable PSA) according to the Phoenix criteria. Results: Patients completed an outcome questionnaire before the conference and one month afterwards (55 in total). Perceived control pre-conference was 7.19, post conference 7.38. Concern pre-conference was 3.56, 3.46 post conference. Understanding pre-conference was 7.49, 7.85 post-conference. Focus Group Results: The advantages of community based follow up were having an approachable primary contact, speedy referral, saving time, money and stress over prolonged waits and brief hospital appointments. Conclusions: We discuss how the programme can be developed, including: PSA feedback, a buddying system, and how this can be put into use across other tumour sites and other specialities.

No abstract