Thoughts and experience 10 years post surgery from a cancer researcher and survivor: The burdens of a prostate cancer survivor.

Abstract

e290 Background: There are a myriad of experiences reported from various cancer survivors, but few individuals have been involved with cancer drug development, speaking publicly to prostate cancer groups, working privately with prostate cancer survivors and studying the psychosocial aspects of post treatment patients. Methods: N/A Results: The postsurgical and post treatment issues , particularly ED are either not discussed by the patient due to embarrassment or lack of knowledgeable of the type of questions to ask, or not addressed directly by the HCP. Unlike other oncological disciplines, the prostate cancer patient is confronted with major decisions on which treatment approach to choose from which therapeutic discipline. The clinicians they are meeting are explaining their expertise on radiation, surgery, chemo, or other interventions leading the patient to become overwehlemed at these choices. There are few “neutral” voices talking to the patient on which procedure or treatment would suit him best. In addition to the treatment decisions the patient is also told about watch and wait approach. Besides the tough decision for the patient to choose the right approach for himself, he is shown data by each treatment specialty from postsurgical & other treatments relative to the percentage success rates for ED and continence that the patient may expect. These numbers through data from the participating surgical centers etc are typically very inflated. Many patients leave thinking they will return to normal function in x amount of months, only to find that they are quite dysfunctional for much longer or in some cases never gaining functionality. The last part of the discussion is what is available for these men with continuing dysfunction. Potential options exist but for many men they are met with mixed results. The treatments for ED are quite expensive to most men, and in many cases do not work. When the diesterase inhibitors fail to work for the patient, options for ED remain vary greatly-from mechanical interventions to various chemical and pharmacological approaches, and the patient has no voice to turn to get non biased information needed to help with the next steps. Conclusions: Suggestions for the HCP.