The provision of dietary and physical activity advice for men diagnosed with prostate cancer: a qualitative study of the experiences and views of health care professionals, patients and partners

Abstract

PurposeTo explore the views and experiences of health care professionals (HCPs), men diagnosed with localised prostate cancer and their partners about the provision of advice on diet and physical activity after diagnosis and treatment for localised prostate cancer.MethodsSemi-structured in-depth interviews with ten HCPs (Consultant Urological Surgeons, Uro-Oncology Clinical Nurse Specialists and Allied Health Professionals: see Table 1) and sixteen men diagnosed with localised prostate cancer and seven of their partners. Data from interviews were thematically analysed using the Framework Approach.ResultsThe men and their partners provided differing accounts to the HCPs and sometimes to each other concerning the provision of advice on diet and physical activity. Some men were unable to recall receiving such advice from HCPs. Factors impacting upon advice-giving included the perceived lack of an evidence base to support dietary and physical activity advice and the credibility of advice providers. The timing of advice provision was a contentious issue as some HCPs believed that patients might not be willing to receive dietary and physical activity advice at the time of diagnosis, whilst others viewed this an opportune time to provide behaviour change information. Patients concurred with the latter opinion.ConclusionsMen and their partners would value nutritional and physical activity advice from their HCP, after a localised prostate cancer diagnosis. Men would prefer to receive this advice at an early stage in their cancer journey and may implement behaviour change if the received advice is clear and evidence-based. HCPs should receive suitable training regarding what information to provide to men and how best to deliver this information.

Barriers and facilitators to physical activity in men with prostate cancer: A qualitative and quantitative systematic review

“…There is a need to consider each individual's treatment plan when trying to engage that individual with PA . The treatment‐related barriers consistently reported by men with prostate cancer in the reviewed studies were incontinence caused by radiotherapy or radical prostatectomy, and treatment‐related fatigue, primarily relating to treatment with chemotherapy or hormone therapy, and occasionally also associated with receipt of radiotherapy or radical prostatectomy …”

“…The consultant, nursing team, exercise physiotherapy team, and accredited exercise physiologists all have potential roles to play in this regard. Men with prostate cancer in these studies sometimes describe a need to have the benefits of PA communicated to them by someone that they consider a medical authority . Moreover, as described above, this is sometimes related to a concern that PA is contraindicated for someone with a prostate cancer diagnosis .…”

“…Many of the included qualitative studies were of good quality, fulfilling most JBI appraisal criteria, bar that which is commonly not reported (eg, statements locating the researchers culturally/theoretically) (see Appendix S1). Methodological issues amongst the other studies and issues relating to congruity of research question, methods, and interpretation were not representing participants voices adequately, Some appraisal criteria were unfulfilled by default because of an apparent lack of detail in reporting, a common occurrence being reports not addressing the influence of the researcher on the research (and vice versa) .…”

“…There is a need to consider each individual's treatment plan when trying to engage that individual with PA. 19,51,[53][54][55]57,58,[60][61][62] The treatment-related barriers consistently reported by men with prostate cancer in the reviewed studies were incontinence caused by radiotherapy or radical prostatectomy, 51,53,54,57,58,60,61 and treatmentrelated fatigue, primarily relating to treatment with chemotherapy or hormone therapy, and occasionally also associated with receipt of radiotherapy or radical prostatectomy. 19,51,54,55,58 5.2 | Self-determination and its relationship with prostate cancer-related events This theme did not so much pertain to a direct facilitator or barrier but describes an experiential process that was deemed a relevant concept that was well grounded in the primary data.…”

Availability and quality assessment of online nutrition information materials for pelvic cancer patients in the UK

“…Consumer feedback highlighted the need for tailored nutritional information from reliable sources, especially post-treatment. Results from qualitative studies have shown that when patients with cancer receive dietary advice, it is often broad and does not meet their current needs and expectations (Anderson et al, 2013;Hardcastle, Maxwell-Smith, Hagger, O'Connor, & Platell, 2017); Sutton et al, 2017;Kwok, Palermo, & Boltong, 2014).…”