Men's help‐seeking in the first year after diagnosis of localised prostate cancer

Abstract

This study describes sources of support utilised by men with localised prostate cancer in the first year after diagnosis and examines characteristics associated with help‐seeking for men with unmet needs. A cross‐sectional survey of 331 patients from a population‐based sample who were in the first year after diagnosis (M = 9.6, SD = 1.9) was conducted to assess sources of support, unmet supportive care needs, domain‐specific quality of life and psychological distress. Overall, 82% of men reported unmet supportive care needs. The top five needs were sexuality (58%); prostate cancer‐specific (57%); psychological (47%); physical and daily living (41%); and health system and information (31%). Professional support was most often sought from doctors (51%). Across most domains, men who were older (Ps ≤ 0.03), less well educated (Ps ≤ 0.04) and more depressed (Ps ≤ 0.05) were less likely to seek help for unmet needs. Greater sexual help‐seeking was related to better sexual function (P = 0.03), higher education (P ≤ 0.03) and less depression (P = 0.05). Unmet supportive care needs are highly prevalent after localised prostate cancer diagnosis with older age, lower education and higher depression apparent barriers to help‐seeking. Interventions that link across medicine, nursing and community based peer support may be an accessible approach to meeting these needs. Clinical Trial Registry: Trial Registration: ACTRN12611000392965.

Patients’ and partners’ views of care and treatment provided for metastatic castrate‐resistant prostate cancer in the UK

“…partners, family & friends; Ettridge et al, ). Even men with localised prostate cancer are reluctant to seek help for their prostate‐related concerns within the year following diagnosis (40%) and few had accessed psychological support (Hyde et al, ). This sits within a context where men's general help‐seeking behaviour is known to be low for both health and psychological problems (Yousaf, Grunfeld, & Hunter, ).…”

Body image issues and attitudes towards exercise amongst men undergoing androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) following diagnosis of prostate cancer

“…However, there is a lack of research investigating PCa patients' needs for support around body image issues. In general, previous studies found that PCa patients are often reluctant to seek psychological help . This reluctance might be related to stereotypical views of masculinity where seeking help is considered inappropriate .…”

New Challenges in Psycho-Oncology Research III: A systematic review of psychological interventions for prostate cancer survivors and their partners: clinical and research implications

“…Up to 75% of men treated for localised PCa report severe and persistent treatment side‐effects including sexual dysfunction, poor urinary or bowel function . Psychosocial concerns are prevalent with 30%‐50% of PCa survivors reporting unmet sexuality, psychological, and health system and information needs and 10%‐23% of men clinically distressed . Risk of suicide is increased after PCa diagnosis and can persist for a decade or more .…”