Abstract
Both men with prostate cancer and their caregivers report experiencing a number of challenges and health consequences, and require programs to help support the cancer patient–caregiver dyad. A tailored, web-based, psychosocial and physical activity self-management program (TEMPO), which implements behavior change techniques to help facilitate behavior change for the dyads was created and its acceptability was tested in a qualitative study. The purpose of this secondary analysis was to explore the dyads’ experiences using behavior change techniques to change behavior and address current needs and challenges while enrolled in TEMPO. Multiple semi-structured interviews were conducted with 19 prostate cancer-caregiver dyads over the course of the program, resulting in 46 transcripts that were analyzed using an inductive thematic analysis. Results revealed four main themes: (1) learning new behavior change techniques, (2) engaging with behavior change techniques learned in the past, (3) resisting full engagement with behavior change techniques, and (4) experiencing positive outcomes from using behavior change techniques. The dyads’ discussions of encountering behavior change techniques provided unique insight into the process of learning and implementing behavior change techniques through a web-based self-management program, and the positive outcomes that resulted from behavior changes.
Highlights
Men in North American are more likely to develop prostate cancer than any other cancer, with one in nine men expected to be diagnosed with prostate cancer in his lifetime [1,2]
As a result of using behavior change techniques (BCTs) and adopting new behaviors, the dyads spoke about the positive outcomes that resulted from behavior changes
TEMPO was designed as one of the first web-based, self-management, psychosocial and physical activity programs to address the needs and challenges of prostate cancer patient–caregiver dyads. Dyads discussed their experiences working through TEMPO, using BCTs to help change their behaviors, overcome challenges, and lead to improved health outcomes
Summary
Men in North American are more likely to develop prostate cancer than any other cancer, with one in nine men expected to be diagnosed with prostate cancer in his lifetime [1,2]. Early detection, and improvements in treatment options, the rate of death due to prostate cancer has been steadily declining with an estimated 10-year survival rate of 98% [1,2]. Given the high survival rates, more cancer survivors (A cancer survivor is anyone “living with, through, and beyond a cancer diagnosis” [3]) are living with the associated consequences from cancer and cancer treatment [4]. Prostate cancer survivors experience psychological problems such as depression, anxiety, fatigue, and a compromised quality of life [7,8,9]. Due to the associated health consequences of a cancer diagnosis and cancer treatment faced by prostate cancer survivors, family and friends are taking on the role of caregiver [10]
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