The impact of prostate cancer on men's everyday life

Abstract

Prostate cancer impacts on the daily lives of men, particularly their physical and emotional health, relationships and social life. This paper highlights how men cope with disease and treatment and the strategies they employ to manage their diagnosis alongside daily life. Twenty-seven men were interviewed at different stages in their disease pathway: nine men prior to radiotherapy, eight men at 6-8 months post radiotherapy and 10 men at 12-18 months post radiotherapy. A grounded theory approach was used to collect and analyse the data. Regardless of the point at which they were interviewed four areas emerged as important to the men: the pathway to diagnosis; the diagnosis; the impact of prostate cancer and its treatment on daily life; and living with prostate cancer. Prostate cancer was diagnosed using the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test, rectal examination and biopsy. Many men did not understand the consequences of a high PSA reading before they undertook the test. Painful investigative biopsies were viewed as the worst part of the disease experience. Radiotherapy was considered less invasive than other treatments, although preparatory regimes were associated with stress and inconvenience. Men used various strategies to deal with treatment-induced threats to their masculinity in the long term.

Developing peer support in film for cancer self-management: what do men want other men to know?

“…[1] Prostate cancer and its treatment can produce long-term effects on men's physical and psychological well-being, affecting perceptions of masculinity and self-image, and a reluctance to talk about health issues can be intensified. [2][3][4] This can have implications for effective participation in prostate cancer self-management programmes. [5] Peer support is commonly incorporated into selfmanagement programmes to provide social interaction, which can facilitate learning; [6][7][8][9] it follows that men's engagement and readiness to disclose is an important variable for successful intervention outcomes.…”

Factors related to self‐rated health and life satisfaction one year after radical prostatectomy for localised prostate cancer: a cross‐sectional survey

“…Apparently, men do not interpret problems with sexual function as a health issue in the same way that they do urinary incontinence. It is known that men tend to normalise erectile dysfunction caused by cancer treatment by interpreting the symptoms as part of the normal ageing process and by stating that sexual activity is mainly part of a younger man's life . This view may also explain why the participants of this study did not necessarily take erectile dysfunction into account when answering the general questions about their health .…”

Men’s Experience of Virtual Simulation to Aid Patient Education for Radiation Treatment to the Prostate

“…Men interviewed in focused groups after receiving prostatectomies for prostate cancer revealed how incontinence and impotence had affected their sense of self-worth (O'Shaughnessy & Laws, 2010). The respondents in Appleton et al (2015) study, viewed changes to their sex drive and feminisation of the body after hormone treatment, particularly distressing. This loss of manhood impacted on their emotional state as well as their relationships with their spouses.…”

“…It was suggested that providing the VERT education in small groups of men who are to receive radiation treatment for prostate cancer, has the potential to create a safe environment where men can learn about radiation treatment together and know they are not alone in this experience. This may seem to go against traditional masculine behaviours such as reluctance to admit vulnerability and ask for help however Appleton et al (2015) found peer support was commonly valued as an outlet for emotions and provided an opportunity for camaraderie and a sense of belonging.…”

“…Lack of adherence may result in a decision by staff not to treat and the patient will be asked to reattempt to fill their bladder and empty their rectum before continuing. For some men, the pressure associated with meeting these requirements on a daily basis can lead to feelings of increased stress and anxiety about receiving radiation (Appleton et al, 2015).…”