Overview

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in Australian men, and approximately 92% of the patients survive beyond 5 years.[1] While surviving cancer treatment, prostate cancer survivors may experience long-term treatment side effects (e.g., incontinence, sexual dysfunction) that challenge the patient’s sense of masculinity and identity,[2-4] impact upon life satisfaction, and reduce mental and social well-being.[5,6]

Shared decision-making between patients and health professionals has been promoted as ethically and clinically desirable. Patients vary in their willingness to participate in decision-making, while clinicians identify practical barriers to greater participation, such as time and communication skills. A paternalistic approach to treatment decisions remains common even in an area of clinical uncertainty.

The diagnosis of prostate cancer (PCa) often represents a stressful event. In addition to the psychological distress related to the diagnosis, patients face challenging health decisions: in fact, besides radical treatments, Active Surveillance may represent an option for patients with diagnosis of localized PCa. A multidisciplinary clinical approach seems to represent the suitable organizational model to meet such a requirement, optimizing the therapeutic outcome for PCa patients. The present study is a qualitative examination of the treatment decision-making process of men with a newly diagnosed localized PCa who received a multidisciplinary clinical consultation.

After being diagnosed with prostate cancer men must assimilate information regarding the cancer. Satisfaction with information reflects the evaluation of information sources used before treatment to select a therapy. We describe the use and helpfulness of several information sources available to prostate cancer survivors. We also identified factors associated with satisfaction with information.

Communication is defined as “to make known, to exchange information or opinions” (Cayne, Lechner, et al., 1988). Nursing is the critical link for information exchange that is patient-centred and collaborative. The focus of this paper will highlight the development and implementation of nurse-led initiatives within our program to improve the prostate cancer patient experience.

A literature survey was carried out to get an insight in possible consequences by summarizing the state of knowledge on how men with prostate cancer undergoing prostatectomy surgery experience their contacts with the healthcare professionals. Results: A consequence is that often men with prostate cancer, treated with prostatectomy surgery, do not receive the individualized support, information, and dialogue they need, which leads to feelings of uncertainty, insecurity, and loss of control. The men use the Internet in their search for information and support, which makes them able to stay in control and be active, responsible partners in their own course of treatment.

To determine the information that men diagnosed with early-stage prostate cancer think is necessary to choose their treatment (surgery, radiotherapy or `watchful waiting').

(1) To explore to what degree prostate cancer (PC) patients felt they had participated in treatment decision making (TDM). (2) To determine whether perceived roles during TDM were associated with medical and sociodemographic variables. (3) To examine to what extent satisfaction with TDM was related to perceived role or medical and sociodemographic variables.

To describe decisional roles of patients with early-stage prostate cancer in 9 countries and to compare the information they rated important for decision making (DM).

This PDF document from Bluewater Health details the benefits of physiotherapy for prostate cancer patients and provides a post-prostatectomy activity timeline. This document also includes contact information for local physiotherapy clinics and support groups.

This handout discusses potential sexual side effects of cancer treatment and how to manage them. Note that this is not a prostate cancer-specific resource.

This booklet is for anyone trying to naviguate sex and intimacy after receiving a cancer diagnosis. It can also be useful to sexual partners of individuals dealing with cancer. *Published July 2018

Care for people diagnosed with prostate cancer does not end when active treatment has finished. This resource explains what follow-up care is and why it is so important.

PC_PEP is an online intervention available across Canada for prostate cancer patients and caregivers. It features exercise videos, stress reduction techniques, dietary support and regular group videoconferences with mentors.

Many people that have prostate cancer find it difficult to sleep. That is because not only can the treatment of the disease create anxiety and uncertainty in the person’s life, but these, in turn, can disrupt sleeping habits and create insomnia. In this article, PROCURE shares 6 tips to improve sleep for prostate cancer patients. *Published February 2017

TrueNTH Lifestyle Management offers exercise and nutrition programs for prostate cancer patients and survivors. Community-based programs, home programs, and information resources are available.

This guide provides a summary of research studies looking at diet, nutrition, physical activity and prostate cancer.

Information for patients on how to Clean Intermittent Catheterization