Abstract
BackgroundDespite the growing body of literature which highlights the potential for significant and enduring side-effects of prostate cancer treatment, there is limited research exploring the experience of living with the treatment-induced side-effects such as sexual dysfunction, and their repercussions for men and their partners. The aim of this qualitative study was to explore factors influencing psychosexual adjustment, self-perception, and unmet information and support needs of prostate cancer patients and their partners.MethodsTwenty-one men, recruited via a prostate cancer support group newsletter, participated in face-to-face semi-structured interviews, which were subjected to thematic analysis.ResultsThe qualitative analysis revealed three inter-connected main themes which contributed to men’s psychosexual adjustment: i) Psychosexual impact, ii) Communication and support, and iii) Integration process. Men reported distressing sexual and urinary difficulties, tainted self-perception and altered intimate relationships. Receiving adequate information and support, and having good communication with their doctors and partners facilitated better adjustment to prostate cancer treatment. Coming to terms with the significant impact of treatment had involved making lifestyle changes, coping with emotional struggles and striving to accept and integrate their post-treatment “new normal” self and sexual life.ConclusionsThe importance of adequate communication with health professionals and partners, especially regarding treatment effects on sexual function and rehabilitation options, was highlighted as a key factor facilitating the adjustment process. Prostate cancer patients would benefit from improved access to timely and tailored information and decision-making resources, ongoing multidisciplinary care, and support groups, as well as appropriate referrals for sexual and psychological counselling.
Highlights
Despite the growing body of literature which highlights the potential for significant and enduring side-effects of prostate cancer treatment, there is limited research exploring the experience of living with the treatment-induced side-effects such as sexual dysfunction, and their repercussions for men and their partners
Demographic and medical characteristics Of the 30 men who responded to the advertising, 3 men did not meet the eligibility criteria as they were more than 5 years post-treatment
A timely provision of information and ongoing multidisciplinary support to men diagnosed with prostate cancer and their partners will afford them a better understanding of the potential impact of side-effects, related to sexual function, on their personal and social relationships, their body image, self-esteem and sexuality
Summary
Despite the growing body of literature which highlights the potential for significant and enduring side-effects of prostate cancer treatment, there is limited research exploring the experience of living with the treatment-induced side-effects such as sexual dysfunction, and their repercussions for men and their partners. Treatmentinduced changes in sexual function include erectile dysfunction (ED), absent or diminished ejaculate, changed orgasmic sensation, urine loss during arousal or orgasm (climacturia), decreased libido and penile shortening [5,6,7]. In addition to these physical side-effects, men report impaired body image and self-esteem [4,8,9]. Given the high survival rate, the majority of men diagnosed with PC are living with these physical and psychological consequences of treatment which have persistent effect on their quality of life [4]
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